Vet care for refugee pets is a lifeline

On 21 February this year, Evgenia woke to the sound of bombs exploding beside her home in Kyiv.

She immediately hurried her two children, mother, and pets to a nearby bomb shelter as the Russian shells continued to rain down on the Ukrainian capital at the outbreak of Putin’s illegal war. 

“We were scared because they bombed very hard in Kyiv,” says Evgenia. “We were in the bomb shelter for around one week. Then after this week our friends from Romania called and said: ‘we can help’. So, we’re here”.

To protect their already traumatised family, Evgenia had no other choice but to leave behind her husband – who had been conscripted into the Ukrainian army – and head across the country’s border to safety.

They are now safe in the Romanian city of Cluj-Napoca, and their dog Nika and cat Chupa are among those being supported by the not-for-profit vet clinic TAC.social, thanks to Blue Cross’s Ukraine Pet Welfare Fund.

More than 60 pets, some of whom faced journeys of more than 40 hours to safety, have been helped by the TAC.social team, with Blue Cross support, since March. 

For owners like Evgenia, the care and compassion given to her beloved pets – who she describes as her ‘youngest children’ – has been a lifeline amid the upheaval caused by Russia’s devastating invasion of her homeland.

“This is very important for me. They are members of my family, like children. We love them,” says Evgenia.

Both pets have been given vital routine treatment like vaccinations and flea prevention, while Chupa has also been spayed to protect her from future health problems and any unplanned pregnancies.

The trauma of hearing Russian bombs fall around her, and the subsequent overcrowded train journey to flee, has taken its toll on poor Nika, who has become particularly sensitive to loud noises and more nervous.

But she finds comfort in Chupa and her family, while both pets have helped Evgenia and her children settle into their new but unexpected life beyond measure.

Such is the level of gratitude the family feels for the kindness offered by TAC.social, that Evgenia’s 13-year-old son Arkadiy, who has developed a deep interest in animal care, now volunteers at the clinic.

One day soon, Evgenia hopes that it will be safe for her family and pets to return to Ukraine and reunite with her husband, who she speaks to daily. Until then, TAC.social and Blue Cross will be there for them.