As the war in Ukraine is now in its fourth year, the devastating toll on both human and animal lives continues to grow. Beyond the devastation, beloved pets who are lost, abandoned, or unable to evacuate with their owners, are in desperate need of veterinary care, food and shelter. With no infrastructure or services in conflict zones, animals like dogs and cats are at risk of disease, injuries, health issues, and death. The situation is dire with hundreds of thousands of animals needing emergency veterinary services, life-saving medications, evacuations and care.
Veterinarians Without Borders North America/Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Amérique du Nord (VWB/VSF) has been working with local partners like 12 Guards* since 2022, ensuring that emergency vet services, essential medications and rescue efforts are delivered to the animals that need them the most.
Every day committed 12 Guards volunteers like Christina (pictured above) put their lives on the line to rescue suffering pets from conflict zones and provide emergency veterinary care with limited medical supplies.
As a volunteer rescuer working in the most dangerous and severely damaged areas (Kharkiv, Donetsk, Kherson and Sumy regions), Christina wears tactical clothing to keep herself safe while navigating areas impacted by shelling, debris, and landmines. Her unwavering drive and determination to help animals no matter the cost is undeniable. After being injured by a landmine last year, she returned to the field before she had fully recovered to continue saving animals from harm. Though she looks like a soldier, Christina is a humanitarian - risking her life to rescue vulnerable animals caught in the cross hairs of war.
As the war in Ukraine continues to rage on, pledge your support now for brave volunteers like Christina who are risking their lives every day to ensure veterinary care remains accessible for vulnerable pets who desperately need help.
*12 Guards is not affiliated with the Ukrainian military.
