Romania and beyond – how we continue to help the animals of Ukraine

The impact of war on the animals of Ukraine

As the air and seaports shut down in Ukraine and the latest Russian invasion began on 24 February 2022, the road borders came more sharply into focus as essential rivers of humanitarian aid. From an animal welfare perspective, there were refugees fleeing to the EU area with pets, animals being evacuated and a massive need to get food and veterinary care in.

UKraine Paws

As a small charity, but with a knowledge built up over 28 years of working in Ukraine, our first task was to brief the larger international animal rescues directly, via the media and social media.

Identifying gaps for assistance on the Polish border, our Campaign Manager, Kate, began her ‘UKrainePaws’ missions, where she connected with Ukrainians in Poland and is still doing some incredible work to help countless animals.

Stray animal welfare

I’d been fortunate to visit Ukraine 11 times, covering 13 cities since I started running Naturewatch Foundation’s police training programme, travelling from Kharkiv to Kyiv and, in June 2019, to Chernivtsi (on the border with Romania and Moldova).

I’ve retained many contacts here and, in May, made a journey back to the area. This region is critical for us, not least because of its connection with Moldova, where I ran police training last year and where we are actively assisting with stray animal welfare.

My aim was to visit the rescues along the Romanian border to:

decide how Naturewatch Foundation could assist them after the influx of Ukrainian animals
understand more about new Romanian animal welfare laws and the innovative ‘animal police’ recently established
meet with my contacts in the Chernivtsi area (but, due to UK Government regulations, I justifiably couldn’t enter Ukraine when on ‘duty’ with Naturewatch Foundation)

Casa Lui Patrocle

Casa Lui Patrocle are an animal charity based on the Ukrainian side of Suceava that mostly cares for abused dogs and those involved in road accidents. They work closely with the police and, of course, now with Ukrainian groups. I met many dogs at their rescue centre and learned the life stories of all 150.

They currently used rented land and need to expand to cope with the extra demand. They will undoubtedly feature in the part of the project we now need to take foreword.

Mark, our Ukraine Campaign Manager, with ‘Lily Bear’ at Casa Lui Patrocle in Romania

The new generation

One study from Teeside University in the UK found that over 86% of children in Romania have witnessed animal abuse. In contrast, Moldova has just been the second country in the world to recognise the impact of animal abuse on children within its criminal code. The first is Ukraine.

I was able to spend time with Antoninia, one of the Ukrainian contacts who now teaches canistherapy to children. The new generation feature as a theme in the city’s community safety strategy. (You may also recall our joint project with ‘Not Indifferent’ from Chernivtsi – a Valentine’s Day art competition for children in 202 1.)

Mark, our Ukraine Campaign Manager with Antoninia (Ukrainian canistherapy expert with children) at Casa Lui Patrocle, Romania

The colossal impact of war

I had around 40000 UAH of animal aid (over £1000) for the rescue in Chernivtsi from generous Naturewatch Foundation supporters so, during a day ‘off-duty’, I travelled over the road border to the Chernivtsi shelters to deliver the aid and compare the situation with the shelters inside Ukraine.

I’d first visited them three years ago and saw that the war was having a colossal impact. They need so much support, medically as well as structurally. The care for the animals is, of course, still there but they face numerous challenges, including:

volunteers have nowhere to hide from missile attacks
some soldiers have had to leave animals for care when they leave for the front
more animals are being abandoned
there is no petrol or a vehicle to collect them and bring them to the centre.

Specifically, they need a grooming table, surgical tools, large animal cages, ultrasound. One dog called ‘Jessica’ has epilepsy. She needs phenobarbital drug permanently, but it is sold in Ukraine only by prescription. They need tests for parvovirus enteritis and piroplasmosis, which are not expensive but there are none in shops in Ukraine.

The contrast either side of the border could not be more obvious.

Helping army rescue dogs

I met with the shelter manager and other volunteers in the Chernivtsi region and had the opportunity to get some of the donated Frontline ‘tick and flea’ treatment to army rescue dogs to be able to keep them searching for missing people. Some was also given to army and police dogs at the border engaged on security search duties.

Naturewatch Foundation supporters help everywhere!

Search dog at the Romanian/Ukrainian border with a selection of Naturewatch Foundation donated flea and tick treatments.

Moving forward

Our mission to help the animals of Ukraine moves another step forward. Kate is again at the Polish border, ensuring essential aid helps Ukrainians who have arrived in Poland and helping support get through to the Lviv hub.

Meanwhile, I’ll continue to work with our partners and contacts in the region of Chernivtsi (Ukraine), Romania and Moldova.

It’s a long, hard battle for the animals but it’s astonishing to know that Naturewatch Foundation is in the area, helping animals every day in a variety of ways.

I can’t thank you all enough for what you do for the animals of Ukraine.

Mark

Naturewatch Foundation aid reaching the shelter in Chernivtsi, Ukraine.

How you can help

Regardless of the ongoing Russian invasion, we plan to continue our vital work in Ukraine long into the future.

If you would like to support the animals and people of Ukraine during this terrible time, you can donate to us and we will use those funds to help with a rebuilding programme.

Help us help the animals of Ukraine by donating today! All donations will go towards rebuilding efforts.