The war in Ukraine recently passed the two-year mark, and more than 15,000 animals impacted by the war have been saved by PETA Germany and the Ukraine-based Animal Rescue Kharkiv (ARK).
Stories of Ukrainian zoo animal survivors, like these lions or this Asiatic Black Bear, made headlines during the war. But thousands of domesticated animals were also saved, sometimes from shelling.
ARK’s dedicated teams are providing upwards of 40 tons of food per month to cats, dogs, horses, donkeys, and other animals; offering free spay/neuter surgeries to 150 animals every month; and helping maintain refuges for animals in Kharkiv.
With the help of their German partners, these animals get a second or even third chance at life. The links provided below may contain scenes that are a bit graphic or tearjerking.
PETA posts updates whenever animals are saved. Many of their stories and videos–like this rescued pregnant dog and her 8 puppies–involve soldiers and civilians going out of their way in desperate times to care for and shelter animals abandoned during shelling or other violent flare-ups.
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Not all rescues involve crossing lines of fire–this swan was stranded on razor-thin ice with a blood-stained wing, and ARK members used an inflatable boat like a sled to reach him–the boat served as part-stretcher part-lifeboat in case the ice broke under their feet.
Nearly all of the animals rescued need immediate medical treatment for shrapnel injuries, broken bones, or infections. ARK’s hospital treats a staggering 100 to 130 animals per day, like this goat named Alaska who suffered a broken leg, for war-related injuries or deprivation.
MORE RESCUE OPERATIONS: Ukraine Girl Bereft Without Her Cat is Reunited Thanks to Kind Strangers in 5 Countries and 7,000 Miles-WATCH
“Animals do not wage wars. They are victims, and they suffer from severe injuries without water, food or medical attention unless someone cares. “PETA urges everyone to consider the animals impacted by conflicts and the heroes putting their own lives at risk to help them.
Readers interested in contributing to this life-saving work can donate to the PETA Germany Compassion Fund which goes directly you Ukrainian partners like ARK.
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