Blue Cross is calling out to animal lovers to help pets in dire need following the destruction of the Kakhovka dam in Kherson, Ukraine, which has left many dogs and cats trapped in empty homes or exhausted in the waters struggling to reach safety.
The charity’s partner, Save the Dogs and Other Animals, has a team of brave animal loving volunteers in the region who have stepped in to rescue pets stuck in houses and yards or battling to swim to safety. Pets rescued so far have needed urgent vet treatment due to being covered in oil that was used to power generators in homes during stoppages to power supplies due to the conflict.
Anna Wade, Public Affairs Manager at Blue Cross said: “The Blue Cross Ukraine Pet Welfare Fund has already received incredible support from animal lovers in the UK. Funds have provided food and shelter for pets sadly left behind when their owners had to flee. The floods in Kherson are a further blow, particularly because of the oil dangerously covering pets. We are appealing for further funds to cover the rescue of these pets needing urgent veterinary care, food and shelter after their rescue.”
Bagheera is a dog who was thankfully rescued before it was too late. He was suffering from a spinal injury due to the flooding and was covered in oil. He needed urgent vet care and a CT scan. While surgery may be on the cards he is now in a shelter receiving rehabilitation. The Blue Cross Ukraine Pet Welfare Fund will cover the costs of his treatment, as it will for all the other pets needing vet treatment after they have been rescued.
Liliana Pacheco from Save the Dogs and Other Animals said: “We can’t thank Blue Cross and its supporters enough for the funds already donated. Not only does this mean that pets rescued from the floods get the emergency vet treatment they need, but it also allows us to buy them food and supplies like crates, dog leads and other essential equipment. Happily, many pets have been saved so far but there is still a lot to do to make sure no dogs or cats are left to suffer.”
Blue Cross stepped in to support organisations helping pets and their people in Ukraine in March 2022, shortly after the invasion began. The Blue Cross Ukraine Pet Welfare Fund was quickly set up to help provide food, housing, blankets and other equipment and is currently supporting a sterilisation programme in Odessa to prevent more litters of puppies and kittens being born in the streets.
- More than 28 trucks full of pet food (741 tons) to prevent homeless cats and dogs from starving.
- More than 450 dog houses have been sent over.
- Thousands of dog jackets and blankets to help cats and dogs survive the brutal Ukrainian winter.
To find out more and make a donation to the Blue Cross Ukraine Pet Welfare Fund visit www.bluecross.org.uk/ukraine
With the increasing demand for Blue Cross pet welfare services, the charity needs the support of animal lovers to continue its work helping pets and their people, in any way they can. Whether that’s by donating to keep rehoming and veterinary services going through these tough times, fundraising for Blue Cross, providing foster care for pets while loving new homes are found, volunteering at pet food banks, or signing up to support Blue Cross campaigns for better pet welfare. www.bluecross.org.uk
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