Help for Animals from Ukraine

War in Ukraine

Due to the terrible war in Ukraine, a refugee flow has started that has also reached The Netherlands (NL). People are leaving the country en masse and taking their animals with them, mainly cats and (small) dogs are being taken along. When the war had just begun and the heartbreaking photos were shared of people standing with their animals at the Polish border, various animal aid organizations knew they had to do something. So they joined forces to partially relieve people who had to flee their homes, and thus the reporting point Help for Animals from Ukraine was created.

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

The Netherlands (NL) loves animals

In conversation with Niels, we find out how the reporting point works and how all the strengths of the different organizations are utilized. Because they have contact with various government agencies, things can be arranged quickly. As Niels explains, “when the first refugees arrived in Harskamp, the COA location in Ede, they also had 15 cats with them, but nothing had been arranged for them yet. In the morning we received this report, and by 11:30 I was in the animal ambulance full of baskets, food, and other supplies that had been donated at a collection point.”

It turns out that The Netherlands (NL) is a country that takes excellent care of animals. This is especially good news for the animals from Ukraine, because never before have so many animals come from a war zone. As soon as people arrive in The Netherlands (NL) together with their animal, arrangements for the animal are made sooner than for the person. The fact that things are so well arranged for the animals makes us proud and happy!

How can you help?

Because the needs for the animals fluctuate tremendously, there is always something you can do to help. On the website of Help for Animals from Ukraine, various options are presented, such as donating goods, signing up as a volunteer, or registering as a veterinarian for this purpose.

Currently, foster families are especially being sought for people with their animals. “At the moment, about 800 households have signed up to take in a person along with their animal, which is of course wonderful, but unfortunately still not enough,” says Niels. Do you also want to help? Then definitely take a look at the website of Help for Animals from Ukraine to see what you can do to help both people and animals!

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