In recent months IAR has provided vital emergency aid for animals caught up in the Ukraine crisis by making a number of grants to charities working in the area. Among them is Save the Dogs whose Country Director, Greg Tully, reports that IAR’s funding towards their Ukraine Emergency Response has been invaluable.
He explains that “Since the beginning of March, we have conducted a multifaceted program to help the animal victims of the crisis in Ukraine which includes sending dog and cat food to shelters and to volunteers who feed street dogs and cats in Ukraine, providing pet supplies and guidance to refugees with animals at the border, at Bucharest airport, and at Romania’s main train station, rescuing dogs from a war-damaged shelter in Odessa, and remaining adaptable to respond to opportunities to make an impact.
“The urgent need for food for starving dogs and cats in Ukraine cannot be overstated. Pet food is difficult to obtain in many areas, with shelter personnel needing to make dangerous trips to multiple shops to find a shop that has food in stock. People who have been unable to work since the war began no longer have money for buying pet food. Compounding the problem, countless pet dogs and cats have been abandoned by their families who fled their homes due to the conflict and now roam the streets in search of food.”
“It is no longer possible to count the number of abandoned animals.” – One of Save the Dogs’ collaborators in Mykolaiv
“Recently, the need for pet food in southern Ukraine has become overwhelming. Because of the people who fled the country and left their pets behind, as well as those who fed street dogs and cats every day and also escaped, far more animals are roaming the streets and far less food is available. Generous support from IAR has enabled Save the Dogs to make a significant impact in the lives of thousands of Ukrainian animals and their people.
“Thanks to IAR, Save the Dogs has delivered 75 tons of dog and cat food to Ukraine since the war began, and we continue to send more every week. We have established partnerships with animal shelters as well as people who feed street dogs and cats as volunteers in southern Ukraine, especially in Odessa where two well-known shelters act as distribution centers and share the food we send with smaller shelters and volunteers, and in Izmail where a network of volunteer feeders quickly distributes our pet food donations throughout the surrounding area. Because we have a team stationed at the Isaccea border crossing every day to help refugees, we have cultivated relationships with officials who manage transportation across the border as well as drivers who deliver aid supplies to cities in Ukraine, and they contact us when drivers are available to transport pet food.
The outlook for the future:
Every day, people in Ukraine contact Save the Dogs to say they desperately need donations of pet food, especially for dogs and cats who were abandoned when their people fled the country and are now roaming the streets and starving. Additionally, thousands of refugees continue to cross the southern Ukraine-Romania border at Isaccea.
“Many houses have become mini shelters, since there are no animal shelters in our city. People feed the animals as best they can, but because of the war, many were left without work and food prices doubled. Everyone is very, very grateful to you and all your supporters.” –Save the Dogs’ main partner in Izmail.
“Thanks to IAR, Save the Dogs is now providing more pet food to Ukraine than ever before. We are also expanding the locations we support, including Mykolaiv and potentially Kharkiv. Our team at the Isaccea border crossing will remain there every day, at least until the end of June and longer if refugees continue to cross with animals and need help. As the war continues with no end in sight, we are committed to helping the animal victims and the people who care for them, as long as needed. After conflict subsides, we intend to continue to strengthen the bonds with our Ukrainian partner shelters and identify ways to build their capacity and raise their standards. This is only possible because of IAR.”
Alan Knight, IAR Chief Executive, comments: “We’re delighted to be able to help the people and animals of Ukraine by supporting the excellent work of Save the Dogs. Since IAR doesn’t have a presence in Ukraine or any neighbouring countries, we’re very pleased to be able to play our part in this way and I know our supporters are too.”
You can read the full report from Save The Dogs here.