SPCA International supports Ukrainian refugees and their pets with grants and virtual veterinary care

Animal welfare nonprofit SPCA International announced earlier in April that it has provided over $30,000 in funding to 4 organizations supporting Ukrainian refugees and their pets: Romanian League in Defense of Animals, Gostomel Animal Shelter, Sava’s Safe Haven, and Street Dog Coalition. The organization plans to distribute more funding in support of animals and their caretakers in Ukraine, with a target of $80,000. SPCA International has also partnered with Hello Ralphie to provide virtual veterinary care in Ukraine and at the border.

“SPCA International is committed to supporting the health and safety of animals and their caretakers in Ukraine, and we are proud to aid Ukrainian pet parents and pets during this challenging time,” says Ina Clark, executive director at SPCA International. “We thank our supporters for their impactful donations which allow us to continue to fund our incredible partners’ efforts on the ground.”

According to a release from SPCA International, this funding helps the local organizations provide refugees with “first aid, pet food, crates, leashes, blankets, and other supplies.” The organization says the funding is also being used to set up veterinary tents at the Romania-Ukraine border to offer medical care and administer the necessary EU-licensed vaccines for pets to continue their journeys with their owners. Without these veterinary checks, refugees would be forced to leave their pets behind if they lack the resources to obtain their required vaccinations, microchip, and pet passport, the release claims.

In addition to providing critical aid on the ground, SPCA International is also working with Hello Ralphie to ensure remote veterinary consults and expert advice are available to shelters, rescue groups, and individual pet parents. Many animals in the region may not have access to in-person veterinary care, so this remote access provides important care to pets in need.

The SPCA International release says that one of the 4 organizations receiving grants, Gostomel Animal Shelter, located about 12 miles northwest of Kiev, has been experiencing limited access to food and water to the surrounding conflict. It will utilize funds from SPCA International to continue to run and repair their shelter, which experienced extensive damage following Russian attacks in late February.

Donations to support animals and their caretakers in Ukraine can be made here.

Reference

SPCAInternational supports Ukrainian pets and pet parents with grants and vet care. News release. SPCA International. April 13, 2022.