Vienna, 5 March 2022 – The war in Ukraine has currently displaced nearly a million people, but it has also affected their pets and huge numbers of animals across the country. In the last few days efforts were being made by global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS together with local partners to take care of pets fleeing with Ukrainian refugees to neighbouring countries. Vaccinations, microchipping, medical treatments, and food are the most important things that are been taken care of for the next days and weeks to come.

FOUR PAWS has been active in Ukraine for ten years now and has an office in Kyiv. It also runs BEAR FOREST Domazhyr in western Ukraine, which is currently home to 29 rescued bears. Due to the dangerous situation, the Stray Animal Care (SAC) activities in the country had to be paused until further notice.

Specifically, FOUR PAWS helps with vaccinations, microchipping and medical treatments, provides transport boxes for pets, food, leashes and harnesses, as well as temporary accommodation.

In regards to companion animal shelters in Ukraine itself the requests for food are increasing heavily. FOUR PAWS has a been working on companion animal projects in Ukraine since 2012 and the stray animal care team has delivered much needed veterinary care to 30,000 stray dogs and cats in over 60 municipalities over the last 10 years. Rowlings: “While our catch-neuter-return projects are currently on hold, we are putting all our energy into collaborating with other animal welfare organisations, big and small, Ukrainians as well as international, to deliver aid quickly, unbureaucratically and where it is most needed to suffering animals in Ukraine.