Charity issues urgent call to support pet rescue from Kherson floods

Blue Cross is calling out to animal lovers to help pets in dire need following the destruction of the Kakhovka dam in Kherson, Ukraine, which has left many dogs and cats trapped in empty homes or exhausted in the waters struggling to reach safety.

The charity’s partner, Save the Dogs and Other Animals, has a team of brave animal loving volunteers in the region who have stepped in to rescue pets stuck in houses and yards or battling to swim to safety. Pets rescued so far have needed urgent vet treatment due to being covered in oil that was used to power generators in homes during stoppages to power supplies due to the conflict.

Anna Wade, Public Affairs Manager at Blue Cross said: “The Blue Cross Ukraine Pet Welfare Fund has already received incredible support from animal lovers in the UK. Funds have provided food and shelter for pets sadly left behind when their owners had to flee. The floods in Kherson are a further blow, particularly because of the oil dangerously covering pets. We are appealing for further funds to cover the rescue of these pets needing urgent veterinary care, food and shelter after their rescue.”

Bagheera is a dog who was thankfully rescued before it was too late. He was suffering from a spinal injury due to the flooding and was covered in oil. He needed urgent vet care and a CT scan. While surgery may be on the cards he is now in a shelter receiving rehabilitation. The Blue Cross Ukraine Pet Welfare Fund will cover the costs of his treatment, as it will for all the other pets needing vet treatment after they have been rescued.

Liliana Pacheco from Save the Dogs and Other Animals said: “We can’t thank Blue Cross and its supporters enough for the funds already donated. Not only does this mean that pets rescued from the floods get the emergency vet treatment they need, but it also allows us to buy them food and supplies like crates, dog leads and other essential equipment. Happily, many pets have been saved so far but there is still a lot to do to make sure no dogs or cats are left to suffer.”

Blue Cross stepped in to support organisations helping pets and their people in Ukraine in March 2022, shortly after the invasion began. The Blue Cross Ukraine Pet Welfare Fund was quickly set up to help provide food, housing, blankets and other equipment and is currently supporting a sterilisation programme in Odessa to prevent more litters of puppies and kittens being born in the streets.

• More than 28 trucks full of pet food (741 tons) to prevent homeless cats and dogs from starving.
• More than 450 dog houses have been sent over.
• Thousands of dog jackets and blankets to help cats and dogs survive the brutal Ukrainian winter.

To find out more and make a donation to the Blue Cross Ukraine Pet Welfare Fund visit www.bluecross.org.uk/ukraine

With the increasing demand for Blue Cross pet welfare services, the charity needs the support of animal lovers to continue its work helping pets and their people, in any way they can. Whether that’s by donating to keep rehoming and veterinary services going through these tough times, fundraising for Blue Cross, providing foster care for pets while loving new homes are found, volunteering at pet food banks, or signing up to support Blue Cross campaigns for better pet welfare. www.bluecross.org.uk

Notes to Editors

• Images, video and spokespeople available for comment, contact the media team
• Save the Dogs and Other Animals is based in Romania and their primary objective was to help the stray dogs across the country and prevent litters of strays through sterilisation. The organisation is helping pets crossing the border from Ukraine with their owners, providing carriers and food for their ongoing  journey. They also help pets who were left in Ukraine after owners were forced to flee by providing food, blankets and housing and have taken in stray pets when animal shelters have been bombed and destroyed, finding them space in shelters outside of Ukraine.
• Blue Cross is a national charity that has been helping sick, injured and homeless pets since 1897. Every month we help thousands of pets and their people by providing veterinary care, expert behaviour advice and find homeless pets loving families. We also offer education for future generations plus pet bereavement support for those who have lost their beloved pet companion. We love the ways that pets can make such an amazing difference to the people they live with and we offer lifelong support and advice to help that unique relationship thrive. With your support we can give back to more pets and their families who need our help. Pets change lives. We change theirs.
• For more information visit www.bluecross.org.uk

Media contact

Louise Lee, Senior Media Officer: 07880 781637 / [email protected]

Blue Cross media team: 0300 777 1950 / [email protected]