Sara Turetta - President
Feeding programme
Since the war in the Ukraine began, more than 12 million Ukrainian people have been displaced, and while some were able to bring their animals with them, countless people were forced to leave their family pets roaming the streets in search of food and shelter. A leader of a Ukrainian animal welfare charity recently stated that there are more companion animals roaming the streets of Ukraine now than ever in history.
Because many Ukrainian men have been drafted, most of the people taking care of abandoned pets and street animals are women, children, and the elderly. Although most of them have not earned money since the crisis began and they live in constant fear of attacks, they risk their lives every day to feed and care for animals in need.
Save the Dogs and Other Animals began their aid to Ukraine with a few partners based near the border with Romania, especially Odessa and Izmail, where Save The Dogs is primarily based. As the war continues, they are rapidly expanding their impact and their outreach now comprises a broad area of Ukraine including Kharkiv in the northeast, Mykolaiv in the south, and Kherson behind the Russian front line. The close partnerships they have developed with animal shelters, volunteers and others who feed dogs and cats in the streets, are invaluable for them to understand the constantly changing situation on the ground and enables them to adapt and maximize their impact.
With financial support from OAT and other donor organisations, Save the Dogs and Other Animals are feeding thousands of abandoned dogs and cats, helping refugees travel with their pets and rescuing dogs from shelters damaged by a Russian attack. Their food distribution alone has incredible impact preventing thousands of abandoned cats and dogs wandering the streets as well as animals in shelters from starvation. They send a truck full of food every two weeks to more than 30 direct partners who distribute it further to more than 400 volunteer feeders and to date has sent 244 tons of dog and cat food across the border.
Save the Dogs has made a long-term commitment to the animals of Ukraine.
What Save the Dogs does
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Provides life-saving support for over 4,000 animals, including cats and dogs, that have been left behind in Ukraine
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Supports stray dogs in Italy and Romania through feeding & neuter programs, shelters, education & rehoming
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Improves donkey and horse welfare in Romaina
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Lobbying the Parliament and the European Commission to develop a legal framework with guidelines for member countries in order to guarantee greater protection for EU dogs and cats
How Olsen Animal Trust helps
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Funding to support programmes that provide food and shelter for displaced dogs and cats in Ukraine due to the war
Project Images - hover over for details
Desperate measures
Many people who have and continue to leave the Ukraine have taken their pets with them. However, tragically it was / is not always possible and 1000’s of animals and their owners have been separated resulting in large scale abandonment.
Happy / sad reunion
Many animal charities continue to work relentlessly on the ground helping to care for abandoned and in some cases have managed to keep them safe and even reunite them with their owners.
Gregg Tully and rescue
Gregg Tully who is helping Save the Dogs both on the ground and strategically with their mission – featured here with a little rescue
Transport and logistics
Save the Dogs do a fantastic job of providing and distributing essential dog md cat food to local volunteers situated in the worst affected areas.
Local volunteer
Featured here is one of the local volunteers distributing food to a desperate dog in need.
Word gets around
Dogs and cats have soon learnt where the feeding spots are and return regularly in time to get their fair share
Shelter and food
Volunteers try to provide food in safe and sheltered places where the animals can come to be fed.
Thousands of cats
A local feeding and shelter station frequented by 100’s of cats.
Hands full
This volunteer had her hands full when deciding to take care of these abandoned pups.
Shelter from the elements
Harsh weather conditions mean shelter is equally as important as food. Featured here is temporary shelter and blankets that has been provided for these street dogs.
Floods
As if the war wasn’t enough to contend with… the floods made the situation so much worse for people and animals alike. Featured here are volunteers rescuing a stranded and abandoned dog Begheera.
Holding tight
Bagheera clinging on tightly to her new found saviour. Sadly this dog suffered immense trauma and injuries but is currently undergoing rehabilitation and is being taken very good care of by a foster parent.
Oil slicks
This poor dog, Henry, got caught up in the aftermath of the floods. Featured here just after rescue covered in sludge. But there is a happy ending to this story...
Henry
Featured here with a smiling face after a good clean up, food and care for his injuries.
Home comforts
Enjoying home comforts in his foster home. Hopefully one day he will find the joys of a forever home and loving owners which Save the Dogs will do everything in their power to achieve.
For further information on the work of Save the Dogs please visit www.savethedogs.eu/en