We’re in close contact as our friends are facing a dire situation together with the 1,100 dogs in their care. We are devastated to share that our partner shelter in Gorlovka sustained damage and, unfortunately, one dog was killed after a shell hit the facility. Staff remain in place and have continued to care for their dogs but are not allowed to cook hot food for dogs in care because the fire could draw unnecessary attention to the shelter. They desperately need to buy dry dog food.
In Donetsk, the streets are deserted and one car continues to drive through the city, playing a message via loudspeaker urging residents to evacuate immediately. Yet the staff at the animal shelter refuse to leave the animals behind.
IFAW has received a tremendous global response to the emergency aid we're providing to our local animal shelter partners in Ukraine. Our staff established close, personal relationships while working to keep shelters running that had had been destroyed, overwhelmed, and cut-off following the 2014 invasion of Ukraine.
In addition to providing emergency grants for animal shelters, we're working with other international organisations to identify zoos with damage/unmet needs, reaching out to local associations to help contact farmers, and trying to establish contact with shelters we have received public tips about. There may be instances where we’re not able to publicly disclose our activity and contacts on the ground, so please keep the information flowing to us via social channels.
Last time Russian troops invaded the eastern region of the country, IFAW provided critical support as the shelter staff slowly rebuilt their homes, shelters and lives. Tragically, these same shelters may need our support now more than ever.
Your gift today could help IFAW rush emergency aid to provide pet food, veterinary supplies, and wages for daily care staff to both shelters in Ukraine, and help protect other animals around the world.
During the 2014 invasion of Ukraine, IFAW established lifelong relationships and partnerships working with local Animal Shelters that had been destroyed, overwhelmed, and cut-off.
The shelter in Gorlovka desperately needs dry dog food...because the fire needed to cook their hot food might draw unnecessary attention.
IFAW is committed to providing several months of animal food and veterinary supplies, and our emergency grant will also support operational costs for staff and volunteers as they continue to care for their shelter dogs.