Call for people to sign petition to make it easier to adopt rescue dogs from Ukraine
Dogs from the countries of Ukraine, Romania, Belarus and Poland have been banned from entering the United Kingdom by the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs. Despite being fully vaccinated, sometimes more so than in the UK, and equipped with all the necessary documentation, dogs, cats and ferrets from these countries will be stuck in their local shelters until at least the 9th of July.
The ban, which was meant to end on the 14th of May, has been extended by another two months. This is despite the fact that the import of animals from all other countries remains unaffected.
Already affecting thousands of rescue dogs, the ban has meant that the situation is critical for shelters and charities who are struggling to provide the basic needs required for these animals.
“We urgently need things to change to prevent more animals from dying," says Estelle Wilkinson, founder of Lucky’s Legacy Rescue, a registered UK charity. “This ban, which is affecting hundreds of reputable, hard-working charities will only increase the demand for purebred puppies born in the UK and from overseas. This often inhumane market, which includes puppy farming, sees many dogs harmed from forced and abusive mating over years and puppies are then sold at very high prices.”
The process of adopting animals from these countries previously flowed well due to the transparency and gravity of these associations and charities, including a strict vetting process made up of several interviews and home visits.
Because of the ban many adopters have been forced to stop the process due to the uncertainty. This means that certain puppies have made the 3-day journey from Romania to Calais and back several times. Shelters are only getting more crowded and as the puppies grow older there also tends to be less of a desire to adopt them.
Elisa Dumitrescu, founder of Do Good Rescue, a shelter in Romania, says, "dogs don't see price tags, or countries - they just see loving homes. They deserve to grow up in a safe and comfortable place. We call to DEFRA for a response to our petition and to allow the same opportunity for a happy and safe life in the UK as rescue dogs from other countries”.
How can you help? Sign the petition to change the ban here.
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