Volunteer risks her life to save pets of war
The doors to the rescue van open and 52 tiny and terrified feline faces look out. Some are sick, most are starving, and a few are just days old. But all of them are undoubtedly tired and confused by their 20-hour journey to safety from Ukraine to Poland with brave volunteer Karina.
These cats are the lucky ones. Thousands more remain homeless and starving on the war-torn streets of the country, in a mounting animal welfare crisis caused by Russia’s barbaric invasion.
Stray dogs and cats continue to breed out of control, while pets abandoned as people flee or those made homeless when owners are killed add to the boundless figure.
Nobody can accurately estimate how many animals are suffering on the streets of Ukraine, but it’s thought that the number is likely to run into the tens of thousands. Perhaps even more.
And charities like The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Poland – also known as TOZ – is doing all it can to help, with the support of Together for Animals member Blue Cross.
So far, their Ukraine Pet Welfare Fund has covered the cost of Karina’s 12 perilous trips across the border to rescue animals and distribute food and supplies to other volunteers helping the many street pets that remain.
She has been forced to spend several nights in bomb shelters along the way as the Russian shells rained down around her. Some journeys, due to all the danger and border checks entailed, have taken more than four days.
The 52 cats rescued when Blue Cross visited have been placed with a local animal carer. Thankfully, many pets rescued during previous journeys have been rehomed.
They include Hope, a dog left with a broken spine and unable to walk after Russian soldiers savagely kicked and pelted her with stones. Blue Cross funded Hope’s rescue, vet treatment and rehabilitation alongside five other dogs. Hope now lives happily in the countryside with friend Beza, another Ukraine war dog.
Seeing the pets being showered with the love and care they deserve, is what makes it all worthwhile for Karina, who has witnessed unspeakable levels of animal suffering and abuse during her rescue missions in Ukraine. She says: “It gives me a lot of strength to see them undergo a huge metamorphosis. It’s not only thanks to me, but above all thanks to you [Blue Cross]. Because without your help I would not be able to do anything.”