"People save people, but someone has to save animals as well"
Our family has always helped the Adoption Center in Zdolbuniv. Usually, 160-170 dogs lived there. Once there was a message in social networks that they critically lack food. We decided that we should act more actively. "People save people, but someone has to save animals as well"
Residents of the Spectrum residential complex and many friends and acquaintances immediately responded to the request. Then Mariia Rudomska from TM "Shchedryk" contacted us to inform that they have fish heads. At that moment they were preparing canned food for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Also, SILPO store reached us and offered overdue meat products from Russia and Belarus. We packed everything up and took it to the shelter.
Later, the centre began to prepare wards for transportation to Europe. We decided to take this step because we were preparing for the possible evacuation of animals from the affected areas. Poland and Germany agreed to adopt the dogs. Therefore, it was necessary to find a lot of cages and carriers, raise funds to pay for the driver and fuel. Interestingly, many animals were going to the families found by the volunteers.
Someone started to leave dogs on the Spectrum area. I took the first found stray to my place and she lived with our dog Khaima. We sterilized and vaccinated the pet, and then treated against fleas and ticks. Soon we found a family for the dog. Now she lives in a family of theatre-artists. The new owner takes her with him to work, to the dressing room, and even to the Centre for assistance to displaced persons where he helps.
Two more left dogs that we found later were adopted by my neighbour Anna Shevchuk. I am grateful to her, because it is difficult to keep three pets in the house at once. In addition, it is also a lot of money and time on feeding and daily care.
Bilka and Ginger lived in our house. Anna took Bilka with her to the bomb shelter, which eventually angered the neighbours, because the dog soiled the mats. In addition, they began to be afraid of Ginger because he barked loudly, guarding the yard. I had to find them a new home and wrote in all possible group chats.
Bilka
Ginger
Bilka has new owners. Munich
A volunteer from Munich was the first to respond. She said that in a week she would go to Ukraine with charitable assistance and is ready to take Bilka. In the meantime, it was necessary to undergo all the procedures and prepare documents for the dog. Now Bilka lives in Munich, goes to work in the bureau, walks in the city park, and her owner invites us to visit. Her life has changed completely, and this is very encouraging.
I was crying when we let Ginger go. I wasn't sure which hands I was putting him in. He was planned to be taken to Poland along with 40 cats. Later, a girl texted me that she had already purchased everything she needed and was waiting for the animal to undergo quarantine. Here I cry again, but this time these are happy tears.
But while the Polish girl was keeping the dog, she got to like him so much. I don't know how the girls agreed, but he stayed with that girl in Poznan. The dog is now called Niko and, judging by photo reports, he often goes on vacation, parties, and birthdays.
Ginger now lives in Poznań, his name is Niko
At the end of April, Jolie was waiting on the doorstep of RENOME. She was a 7-8-month-old puppy, emaciated and thin. At first, they were looking for owners for a long time, because she was wearing a collar. But in vain. She was quarantined, underwent all the procedures against worms and ticks and was taken to the groomer to comb out numerous tangles. And then, through social networks, we found a wonderful family for her in Ukraine.
It is with a heavy heart that I read how people left their pet when they fled. Sometimes behind closed doors, on a leash, without food or water. At the same time, I admire the courageous ones who, despite everything, save every life. Like a girl from Irpin who rescued 19 dogs under fire.
As a child, I had a hamster, a parrot, and a dog, until everything in the house was chewed up ( laughs) . My daughter also dreamed of a dog for a long time. She used to make a wish for it in her new year's letters, until she wrote in one of them – “dreams don't come true.” In addition, the neighbours got their own dog Khoshyk and we began to watch his daily walks in the yard. After a little hesitation, we bought the Akita. We soon realized that we shouldn't have doubted it so much. The dog is calm, does not damage things and is very smart.
A dog is a family member. We're everywhere together. When the war broke out, she would curl up in a ball on our bed. Before, Khaima did not do this because she wasn't allowed to get on the bed. Now sometimes she struggles with anxiety like this. Two weeks later, she learned how to respond to sirens. Khaima goes to the front door and waits for us to put on the collar and go down to the shelter. And yes, she has her own "anxiety suitcase": with food, a drinking bowl, a tourist bowl, a collar, and so on.
My stories are small. To carry animals for bandaging, take care of them, care of stitches every day, vaccinate them, spend our own time, money. Besides, my colleagues and I helped the displaced people – we were looking for housing, bedding, pots, insulin strips, etc. Everything is mixed up with work, night alarms and descents to shelters. We did what we could.
For some reason Ukrainians are always united by grief . It turns out that we know how to volunteer. It is endearing that people develop the habit of helping. Even in our family, donating to the Come Back Alive or Prytula Foundation is like paying bills.
I reckon our civil society is being tempered now. It would be great if it took deep roots and bloomed. And also, if everyone learned to focus their energy in a useful direction and spend less on empty conversations.