EXCLUSIVE: ‘We are not leaving. We will stay with the animals.’ Caretakers at Ukrainian rescue shelters refuse to abandon thousands of pets left behind throughout their war-torn country as food and resources grow more scarce
- Thousands of dogs, cats and other animals are in rescue shelters throughout war-torn Ukraine
- Their devoted and courageous caretakers have refused to leave the animals behind
- Animal welfare veteran Laura Simpson, who is the founder of Harmony Fund, an American based non-profit, has been providing extensive care to the Ukrainian shelters for years
- Simpson told DailyMail.com. ‘I have spoken with several shelter owners and of course they are scared, but they won’t abandon their animals. I have seen so much heart in Ukraine’
- Marina Dilly is the founder of Shelter Friend located in Dnipro and home to some 650 dogs and 200 cats
- She told DailyMail.com, ‘It is not possible to get food or material items to the shelter’
- ‘We have enough food for a few days, but if nobody helps us and if NATO does not close the sky over Ukraine, I am afraid these dogs will have little chance for survival,’ Dilly added
- To help with these efforts, please visit: https://harmonyfund.org
As millions of Ukrainians flee their war-torn country, thousands of dogs, cats and other animals remain in rescue shelters throughout the war-torn country with their devoted and courageous caretakers who refuse to leave them behind.
Animal welfare veteran Laura Simpson, who is the founder of Harmony Fund, an American based non-profit dedicated to helping the most desperate of animals across the globe, has been providing extensive care to Ukrainian rescue shelters for years.
‘We know these shelters and the people who run them, they are all like family and now more than ever they need our help,’ Simpson told DailyMail.com. ‘I have spoken with several shelter owners and of course they are scared, but they won’t abandon their animals. I have seen so much heart in Ukraine. These animal rescuers are their own distinct breed and they will never give up.’
Marina Dilly is the founder of Shelter Friend located in Dnipro and home to some 650 dogs and 200 cats, plus additional animals being brought in almost every day.
‘Our city is empty now, no vet hospital. They shut down. There is nothing,’ she said.
Thousands of dogs, cats and other animals are in rescue shelters throughout war-torn Ukraine. Their devoted and courageous caretakers have refused to leave the animals behind
Marina Dilly is the founder of Shelter Friend located in Dnipro and home to some 650 dogs and 200 cats, plus additional animals being brought in almost every day
‘Our city is empty now, no vet hospital. They shut down. There is nothing,’ Marina tells DailyMail.com from her shelter in Ukraine
Despite the lack of food and supplies, Shelter Friend continues to take in animals that have either been brought in from veterinary hospitals that were forced to shut down because of the war or left behind by those who fled the country
‘There is no dry dog food available and rice is rationed,’ Dilly told DailyMail.com. ‘There is a big shortage of cat food. It is not possible to get food or material items to the shelter. We have enough food for a few days, but if nobody helps us and if NATO does not close the sky over Ukraine, I am afraid these dogs will have little chance for survival’. Empty food bins are seen in stores throughout Ukraine
Animal welfare veteran Laura Simpson who is the founder of Harmony Fund, an American based non-profit, has been providing extensive care to the Ukrainian shelters for years
‘There is no dry dog food available and rice is rationed,’ Dilly told DailyMail.com. ‘There is a big shortage of cat food. It is not possible to get food or material items to the shelter. We have enough food for a few days, but if nobody helps us and if NATO does not close the sky over Ukraine, I am afraid these dogs will have little chance for survival.’
Shelter Friend, which opened its doors ten years ago, has been a safe haven for the abused, hungry, disabled and left behind. Dilly calls them the ‘forgotten souls’ and has no plans on leaving them behind.
‘There are just four of us looking after the animals, but we are not leaving. We will stay here with the animals.’
Despite the lack of food and supplies, Shelter Friend continues to take in animals that have either been brought in from vet hospitals that were forced to shut down because of the war or left behind by those who fled the country.
‘We just brought in two injured dogs that had been abandoned and we are now helping them,’ she said.
Prior to the invasion, many of the dogs were in the process of being adopted, but that came to an immediate halt.
‘There are so many families in other countries waiting for their new pets, but I have no way of bringing them to the border,’ Dilly explained. ‘We can’t move animals now because roads are blocked, borders are packed and it is too dangerous.’
Alexandra Levitska is the founder of Shelter Ugolyok, which has three different locations throughout the Ukraine, including the country’s only rescue sanctuary for farm animals located near Kherson in the south of the country near the Black Sea.
Her farm animal shelter is the largest of its kind in the world with hundreds of horses, cows, goats, sheep, pigs, donkeys, geese and even ostriches. Alexandra refers to this shelter as her home shelter. The other shelters include the eastern sanctuary near Dnipro and the southern sanctuary near Nikolaev.
Alexandra Levitska (pictured) is the founder of Shelter Ugolyok, which has three different locations throughout the Ukraine, including the country’s only rescue sanctuary for farm animals near Kherson
Levitska’s daughter is seen with one of their donkeys on the farm. ‘I have been staying in the basement of my home with my daughter, my dogs and many cats that are mostly hiding because of the loud sounds of sirens and bombing,’ she said
Levitska’s farm animal shelter is the largest of its kind in the world with hundreds of horses, cows, goats, sheep, pigs, donkeys, geese and ostriches
Levitska said supplies for the animals and food for horses and other farm animals are becoming less available and more expensive
Ducks are seen swimming in an inflatable baby pool on Levitska’s farm as the war continues in Ukraine and their safety is in jeopardy
Some refugees like this woman who crossed into Moldova, took their pets with them when they were forced to flee their homes, but thousands of other pets were abandoned as Putin’s army invaded
One of the women who help out on Levitska’s shelter farm is seen being shown affection by the rescue dogs
‘I must remain optimistic and stay strong for my daughter and for all of the animals. I am so appreciative of the many people supporting us and thankful,’ Levitska told DailyMail.com
Levitska refers to this shelter in Kherson as her home shelter. The other shelters include the eastern sanctuary near Dnipro and the southern sanctuary near Nikolaev
Despite the growing danger, she said the caretakers at all three facilities have remained in place doing what they can to ensure the safety and well being of the animals.
‘Puppies were just brought to our eastern shelter in need of food and care. And another dog was brought in. This scared boy was brought to our shelter and now has a safe place to eat and live,’ Levitska said
‘I have been staying in the basement of my home with my daughter, my dogs and many cats that are mostly hiding because of the loud sounds of sirens and bombing. It is of course very scary, but I must remain optimistic and stay strong for my daughter and for all of the animals. I am so appreciative of the many people supporting us and thankful,’ Levitska told DailyMail.com.
Levitska, who also takes care of her young daughter with autism, said supplies and food are becoming less available and more expensive.
Despite the growing danger, she said the caretakers at all three facilities have remained in place doing what they can to ensure the safety and well being of the animals.
‘Puppies were just brought to our eastern shelter in need of food and care. And another dog was brought in. This scared boy was brought to our shelter and now has a safe place to eat and live.’
Claire Mallet now operates her rescue shelter Claire’s Shelter with no electricity, which was cut off throughout the city of Poltava in Central Ukraine
Relocating her 200 plus cats and dogs is not an option, and for Claire she now only gets a mere three hours of sleep and awakens to the sounds of sirens and explosions
‘I am holding on for the animals, but it is very dangerous and I am alone with them,’ Mallet told DailyMail.com. ‘We desperately need food and medicine, but the stores are running out of everything. I found some canned goods, but it won’t last for long’
Prior to the invasion, many of the animals were in the process of being adopted but that came to an immediate halt
Gostomel Shelter is home to over 700 animals. Its director Maria Vronska told DailyMail.com that the shelter has been shelled three times, shattering windows and even killing some of the animals
‘There are dead animals. The team is alive. I can’t say I’m safe. It is as dangerous here as in Kharkiv. All bridges are destroyed. There are no roads,’ said Vronska. ‘There is one road left and we hope not to destroy it. There is some water and food at the moment, but we don’t know what to do next’
‘I am holding on for the animals, but it is very dangerous and I am alone with them,’ Claire Mallet whose shelter is in Poltava in Central Ukraine told DailyMail.com
Claire Mallet now operates her rescue shelter Claire’s Shelter with no electricity, which was cut off throughout the city of Poltava in Central Ukraine.
Relocating her 200 plus cats and dogs is not an option, and for Claire she now gets a mere three hours of sleep and awakens to the sounds of sirens and explosions.
‘I am holding on for the animals, but it is very dangerous and I am alone with them,’ Mallet told DailyMail.com. ‘We desperately need food and medicine, but the stores are running out of everything. I found some canned goods, but it won’t last for long.’
After two hours of searching for food, Claire described how she was able to find some paste and canned foods despite the long lines and empty shelves at local shops. She’s still in need of medicine and warm blankets, and accepts donations which can be made via her Facebook page Claire Mallet.
Gostomel Shelter is home to over 700 animals. Its director Maria Vronska told DailyMail.com that the shelter has been shelled three times since the Russian invasion began, shattering windows and even killing some of the animals.
‘There are dead animals. The team is alive. I can’t say I’m safe,’ she said.
‘It is as dangerous here as in Kharkiv. All bridges are destroyed. There are no roads,’ said Vronska. ‘There is one road left and we hope not to destroy it. There is some water and food at the moment, but we don’t know what to do next.’
‘There are a total of four people working at the shelter and the damages exceed $30,000. If there is an opportunity to ask people to help financially, it will be a great aid. We need volunteers who are ready to come and work here.’
After two hours of searching for food, Claire Mallet described how she was able to find some paste and canned foods despite the long lines and empty shelves at local shops. She’s still in need of medicine and warm blankets
The Harmony Fund has been working tirelessly on a relief convoy with Fundatia Sky, an animal shelter in Romania, to bring several trucks full of food for not just dogs and cats, but for horses, cows, pigs and other animals
Simpson wants animal lovers to be smart when it comes to donating money to rescue organizations. ‘With disasters, come scams. I have over 25 years experience in animal welfare, so I can vouch for the places that are the real deal’
To help with efforts to help the animals of the shelters in Ukraine, please visit: https://harmonyfund.org
The Harmony Fund has been working tirelessly on a relief convoy with Fundatia Sky, an animal shelter in Romania, to bring several trucks full of food for not just dogs and cats, but for horses, cows, pigs and other animals.
‘The farm animals are so often overlooked. We’re looking to deliver goods to one major shelter and then hopefully make it possible for rescuers in the surrounding area to come and pick up food for their animals,’ said Simpson.
‘A vet will accompany the convoy and be available to treat animals and provide medicines. This will take place as soon as safe passage can be made – hopefully as early as next week. I’m expecting the cost of this aid to be very significant, but I believe it will be the difference between life and death for many animals.’
Simpson wants animal lovers to be smart when it comes to donating money to rescue organizations. ‘With disasters, come scams. I have over 25 years experience in animal welfare, so I can vouch for the places that are the real deal.’
To help with these efforts, please visit: https://harmonyfund.org
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