In Druzhkivka, about 70 kilometers north of Donetsk, Ukrainian volunteers are trying to ensure that stray animals survive a harsh winter amid Russian shelling.
Ukrainian Volunteers Risk Their Lives Caring For Abandoned Pets Amid Russian Shelling
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Yulia, an animal rescue volunteer, feeds homeless dogs at the market in Druzhkivka, in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, on February 16. The Russian invasion has not only triggered a massive humanitarian crisis; it has also left hundreds of thousands of pets abandoned by owners who fled to seek safety.
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A member of the Territory of Kindness animal welfare group, Yulia is one of the many volunteers who provides food for animals that now live on the streets.
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Though the city is not on the front line, Russian shelling continues to strike Druzhkivka, killing and maiming not only its residents but also the animals.
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Despite the risks, volunteers like Yulia continue to reach out and care for nervous and exhausted animals.
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In 2021, there were 267 homeless dogs in Druzhkivka, a town that had a prewar population of 54,000. Since the invasion, volunteers are now feeding more than 900 dogs and almost 1,400 cats that roam the pockmarked streets.
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Hungry cats tuck in.
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Svitlana is another volunteer who cares for the abandoned animals.
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Volunteers take the time to cuddle and play with the abandoned pets.
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One of them is this blind dog who gets extra love and attention.
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As well as caring for the animals that roam the streets, Svitlana also has 13 cats and 14 dogs at her home.
