Galaxy Vets establishes a charity foundation to help animals in Ukraine

Galaxy Vets has launched a nonprofit division—Galaxy Vets Foundation—with a mission to improve access to care for underserved communities, prevent economic euthanasia, and provide animal disaster and humanitarian response solutions. Galaxy Vets Foundation is currently prioritizing its efforts in Ukraine, raising funds and collecting supplies to deliver to the areas in greatest need, according to a press release.¹

“Ukraine is my motherland. We want to aid the best way we know how—helping animals,” said Ivan Zak, DVM, CEO of Galaxy Vets. “Russia’s barbaric invasion murders thousands of people, wipes out entire cities and forces millions to flee their homes in search of safety. As savage shelling leaves whole families without a roof, thousands of pets become homeless and in desperate need of food, shelter, and veterinary care. Blocked from humanitarian aid, animals in zoos are freezing, starving, and dying. Shelters, veterinary clinics, and volunteers are striving to save every life, but they are running out of resources and need support. We encourage individuals and organizations to donate to this good cause. This war is not just about the future of Ukraine. It is about the future of humanity.”

Galaxy Vets Foundation will also provide free telehealth services to aid the people impacted by the war and the animals in their care. It is now seeking veterinarians and veterinary technicians who are willing to spare any amount of time to volunteer for this initiative without leaving their homes.

“We thoroughly assessed all the information we could get. We talked with volunteers, zoos, pet owners and veterinarians in Ukraine to understand the need and the gaps we could fill,” said Andrew Ciccolini, Galaxy Vets Foundation director. “Currently, there is an acute shortage of funding and resources, primarily medications, pet food, and supplies. Lack of access to veterinary care and professional advice on pet health is another issue we will address by providing free multilingual telehealth services and informational resources on our website. We want to ensure continuity of veterinary care in these difficult times.”

Lowell Ackerman, vice president of global veterinary strategy at Galaxy Vets, is leading the Foundation’s efforts to help compile needed resources for Ukrainian pet owners and other caregivers, not only in Ukraine, but also in neighboring countries that are providing aid to displaced Ukrainian citizens and their pets.

“Poland, a central European country adjacent to Ukraine, has seen the greatest influx of people and pets from Ukraine, and they have been phenomenally welcoming, as well as being extremely generous with their services and their hospitality,”Ackerman said, “and other countries in the region, such as Romania, Slovakia, Moldova, and Hungary have similarly responded to the crisis with great humanity and resolve. We, and others around the world, hope to further support those efforts through our own initiatives in this unprecedented time of need.”

According to the release, Ackerman is working with international veterinary groups and individuals to create a resource center for pet caregivers that provides needed information for those caring for pets.

Interested individuals can donate or sign up to volunteer at https://galaxyvets.foundation/.

Reference

Galaxy Vets establishes a charity foundation to help animals in Ukraine. News release. Galaxy Vets. April 20, 2022.