Kyiv/Vienna, 17 March 2022 – Global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS together with International Registration System - Animal ID and Dogs Trust Worldwide are setting up a website called Ukrainian Pet Association Worldwide (UPAW) that will take donations and facilitate the distribution of dog and cat food to hundreds of shelters in war-torn Ukraine. The website is near completion and will work as a platform where Ukrainian shelters can register and fill in information regarding their most needed requirements, mainly food and other supplies. Warehouses are being set up to store and distribute the food within Ukraine.

The website is in its final preparation stage and already UPAW has been able to distribute over 176 tons of pet food to over 100 shelters in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and many other cities. This equates to feeding over 100,000 dogs and cats.

Over three million people have already fled Ukraine. While many of the refugees have managed to escape with their pets, there are still thousands of animals that have been left behind. In addition many people fleeing Ukraine have handed their pets into shelters if they have been unable to travel with them. This has added to the already substantial number of stray animals in the Ukrainian shelters and is an additional burden to the stressed system.

Some of the larger Ukrainian shelters who have an online presence have been able to secure help in terms of funds and supplies through social media. However, the public and mini shelters have not been able to do so. This is where UPAW aims to help those most in need.

Background

FOUR PAWS´ local SAC team has been active in Ukraine since 2013 and has treated close to 30.000 stray animals in over 60 municipalities. The team in Ukraine is normally operating a mobile clinic, carrying out catch-neuter-vaccinate-return projects in different municipalities in the country. Due to attacks and roadblocks, it is too dangerous to be on the road in these difficult times. It has been advised to stay home and avoid critical areas that could be targeted. Under the current situation, it is not possible to carry out such projects in cooperation with the local authorities. The health and safety of all FOUR PAWS colleagues in Ukraine are of highest importance to us. FOUR PAWS has therefore temporarily minimized SAC activities until further notice. The SAC team will continue the important work to treat, neuter, and vaccinate stray animals in Ukraine as soon as it is again safe to do so.