How to help pets in Ukraine: 8 charities you can donate to

Are you wondering how to help pets in Ukraine? As the war continues to unfold, organisations on the ground and globally are actively supporting animal charities to ensure stray dogs and cats find shelter.

According to Open Cages, countries including Latvia, Poland and Romania have all temporarily lifted the requirements for transporting pets without a set of veterinary documents (such as a vaccination certificate or passport), meaning that animals can be rescued safely from war-torn areas. Some charities are looking for people to rehome pets, while others are in need of funds to purchase food.

Take a look at the eight animal charities that you can support today:

1. Shelter Friend

In Ukraine, Shelter Friend is a non-profitable charity organisation and rehabilitation centre for homeless animals in Dnepr City, Ukraine. They are urgently looking for monetary donations to help sick and injured stray animals suffering during the war. For more information about how you can donate visit their Facebook page or email shelter.friend.ukraine@gmail.com.

2. Shelter Ugolyok: Animal Rescue and Farm Sanctuary

This sanctuary for pets and farm animals in Ukraine aims works hard to save and rehabilitate animals in danger. You can either give a one-off donation or choose to give on a monthly basis. Visit patreon.com/ShelterUgolyok for more information.

The charity's founders say: "Quite unexpectedly, war has broken out in the far east region of our country, which has brought wreaked havoc on our economic health. At the same time, we have had little to no local support and are constantly under scrutiny by local authorities, making our mission of helping otherwise helpless animals extremely difficult."

3. Kyiv Animal Rescue Group

The Kyiv Animal Rescue Group are also urgently in need of funds to help support stray pets affected by the war. They are a voluntary association of animal rescuers that are not funded by the state or any foundations. If you want to make any donations, head over to karg.kiev.ua.

4. Viva! Rescue Centre

This animal rescue centre is helping care for animals who need urgent help in Ukraine. They are currently accepting donations, all of which will be transferred to workers on the ground in Poland. For more information, visit viva.org.uk.

"The war in Ukraine is a tragedy not only for people but also for animals. It is hard to describe the current situation – bombs and rockets are dropped on shelters, animals die on the spot or run around in shock," say Viva! Rescue Centre. "There is a shortage of food and resources for treating sick and injured animals. The situation is dramatic."

5. Shelter Sirius

Shelter Sirius is the largest shelter for homeless animals in Ukraine located in the Kyiv region. If you want to make a donation, please email dogcat.sirius@gmail.com or call +380 93 193 4069. Every small donation really does make a big difference.

6. PETA Germany

PETA Germany has now delivered 110 tons of food for animals in Ukraine, with some of their other work including rescuing 80 dogs from an animal shelter in Kharkiv, and 11 cats and 10 dogs from Kyiv. Lots of the four-legged friends that have been rescued are looking for a new home after being separated from their owners. See here for more information on what you can do to help.

7. UAnimals

Another charity helping to save animals from the Ukrainian war is UAnimals – an animal rights organisation based in Ukraine. From rescuing stray dogs to delivering vital pet food supplies, they rely heavily on donations to ensure they can continue to do their work. If you'd like to make a donation, please email info@uanimals.org for more information.

8. Kyiv Zoo

Funds are being raised to help distressed animals in Kyiv Zoo, with donations helping to provide food and care during the ongoing war. According to a statement on their website, all Kyiv Zoo animals are on site under the 24-hour supervision of zookeepers and veterinarians to keep them safe.

A recent statement read: "Thanks to the work of our special food brigades and suppliers, we received provisions for zoo animals: a variety of fruits and vegetables, raisins, nuts, flour, butter, oil, fish, meat, eggs, cookies, cereals, pasta, juices – we have a stock for two weeks. Together we will win!"

To make a donation, please visit zoo.kiev.

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