20.04.26
Set in the village of Fedorivka, around 60km north of Kyiv, Sirius has grown into Ukraine’s largest shelter for homeless animals. Since 2020, Sirius has focused not just on rescue, but on long-term solutions – sterilising animals and helping them find loving, permanent homes.
Founder Alexandra Mezinova has an ambitious goal – a country where no dog or cat is left without a home.
Today, the shelter looks after around 3,000 animals – many of them rescued from the frontlines – and over the years, Sirius has rehomed more than 10,000 dogs and cats.
One of them was Fedir, who shares his story with us through Alexandra…
“Hello. I’m Fedir. Just Fedir.
The war took everything from me – the family who cared for me and the cosy home I loved. Somehow, I survived, but all that was left of my world were the ruins of that house. I stayed there, among the broken walls that once meant safety and warmth.
Kind neighbours would sometimes bring me food. They didn’t forget about me. And one day, people learned about my story and took me to the Sirius shelter, where I was finally safe.
You can call me Fedir. Or ’our little pie’, as they like to say here.
I’m about three or four years old and weigh nearly seven kilos. Everything is within the standard, of course – it’s just that there’s more of me, which means there’s more love too.
I’m a big, fluffy, phlegmatic gentleman and terribly charming. Truly.
I don’t climb curtains. I don’t meow for no reason. I’m the calm, purring type who simply wants to be nearby. Scratch me a little, and I’ll answer with those eyes that say, ‘This feels so good’. Give me some food, and I’ll pretend you’re the meaning of my life. Or maybe you really will become it.
Every guest who visited the shelter loved me.
They would say, ‘Wow, what a beautiful cat!’
‘So dignified!’
‘He has such character!’
But for some reason… no one took me home.”
Alexandra takes over Fedir’s story…
“Everyone admired Fedir – such a handsome, purring boy – yet nobody chose him.
And then, at last, something wonderful happened. One day the right people came to Sirius. His people. They fell in love with him at first sight and took him home.
Now Fedir is a happy cat again.
And I’m so, so happy for him. When I look at the photos and videos his new family sends, tears of joy come to my eyes.
Because Fedir finally has a home again.”
Alexandra Mezinova – Founder and manager, Sirius
Small acts, life-changing impact for animals at Sirius
In 2026, Naturewatch Foundation is helping Sirius with medicines and food, including for beautiful cats like Fedir.
Our animal welfare projects are only possible because of our kind supporters. Thanks to them, as well as our bigger projects like building 16 insulated doghouses for the Step shelter and co-funding an animal rescue van for NGO Promin NGO Promin Myloserdia, we can deliver equipment, food, vaccinations, and essential repairs at carefully vetted shelters across Ukraine.
We can’t overstate how crucial even seemingly small resources are to animal rescuers on the ground.
Essentials like these may seem modest, but they will help change the future for animals in Eastern Europe.
What can YOU do?
- Like Sirius, we believe sterilisation is key to preventing future suffering in Ukraine. But although it’s our most expensive project in Eastern Europe, it’s often the least visible. Read about our own spay-neuter programme here.
- Help us continue our work by making a donation or becoming a regular supporter. Your generosity allows us to care for animals across the UK, Eastern Europe, and beyond – from beloved pets to vulnerable wildlife.
- Stay connected by following us on social media, and help spread the word by sharing our updates on Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and LinkedIn.
- Sign up to our mailing list to receive occasional news and stories about our work.
