Help for Animals from Ukraine

War in Ukraine

The terrible war in Ukraine has started a stream of refugees
that has also reached the Netherlands. People leave the country en masse and
take their animals with them, mainly cats and (small) dogs are taken with them.
When the war just started and the heartbreaking photos of the people standing
with their animals at the Polish border were shared, they knew at various
animal aid organizations that they had to do something. And so they joined
forces to partially unburden people who have had to flee their homes, and so
the Help for Animals from Ukraine
hotline was born.

Here help can be requested for people who have fled the war
together with their animals. Municipalities, asylum seekers' centers or
people who privately shelter Ukrainians with their animals can also apply for
help here. Animals can then be helped with the necessary vaccinations and
medical assistance, practical matters such as baskets and food or possibly
temporary shelter.

Netherlands loves animals

In conversation with Niels, we find out how the hotline
works, and how all the strengths of the various organizations are used. Because
they are in contact with various government agencies, they can switch quickly.
Niels says "when the first refugees ended up in Harskamp, the COA location
in Ede, they also had 15 cats with them, but nothing had been arranged for that
yet. ' In the morning we received this notification, and at 11:30 am I was in
the animal ambulance full of baskets, food and other supplies that had been
handed in at a collection
point".

This shows that the Netherlands is a country that takes very
good care of animals. Which is now extra nice for the animals from Ukraine,
because never before have so many animals come from a war zone. As soon as
people end up in the Netherlands together with their animal, it is arranged for
the animal before it is for humans. The fact that it is so well organized for
the animals makes us proud and happy!

How can you help?

Because it fluctuates enormously in terms of supplies for
the animals, there is always something you can do to help. Various  options are displayed on the website of Help
for Animals from Ukraine, including donating goods, signing up as a
volunteer or signing up as a veterinarian.

In particular, host families are still being sought for
people with their animals. "Currently, there are about 800 households that
have signed up to take a human together with their animal into their home,
which is of course great, but unfortunately not enough yet," says Niels.
Do you also want to help? Then be sure to take a look at the website of Help
for Animals from Ukraine to see what you can do to help people and animals!

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