Across two war-torn regions in Ukraine, Donetsk and Kharkiv, the destruction stretches for kilometres. Homes are reduced to rubble, communities have been displaced, and animals, often the forgotten victims of war, are left to fend for themselves in dangerous, unstable conditions.
This is where Veterinarians Without Borders North America's (VWB) Ukraine program, funded by generous donors just like you, comes in.
At VWB, we’re partnering with courageous local Ukrainian organizations like 12 Guards to respond to the urgent and ongoing needs of animals and families affected by war in Ukraine. These team members literally risk their lives to enter frontline areas with one goal in mind: rescuing animals that have been injured and/or abandoned due to the war. Last month, 12 Guards launched a rescue mission deep into conflict zones where entire neighborhoods have been destroyed.
PHOTO: Christina* carries Vitalik through the rubble.
PHOTO: A 12 Guards volunteer* carries a cat found in the frontlines.
This included dogs just like Vitalik, an older dog rescued from Donetsk. They found him behind the shattered wall of what used to be a home. Somehow, he had survived although his human family was no longer there. A neighbour was able to occasionally bring him food, but no one knew how long he had been there or how he managed to survive on his own.
Thankfully, 12 Guard's volunteer rescuer, Christina, discovered Vitalik and carried him through the debris to safety. According to Christina, it was as if he knew he was finally going to be okay.
Sadly, thousands more animals remain trapped, starving, injured, or abandoned on the frontlines of this prolonged war.
Three years in: Why this work still matters
More than three years after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the need for veterinary and rescue support remains urgent; and it’s about more than just compassion. Neglected animals are also a growing public health risk.
With limited access to veterinary services and widespread displacement of both people and animals, zoonotic diseases like rabies are on the rise. In areas where stray dog populations have grown and vaccination campaigns have broken down, the threat to both animal and human health is serious — especially for children and people living in close proximity to unvaccinated animals.
When organizations like 12 Guards rescue animals like Vitalik, they're not only saving individual lives, but also helping contain the spread of disease, support frontline responders, and stabilize communities already burdened by trauma and loss.
PHOTO: A puppy peers out from the rubble of a destroyed home.
PHOTO: A 12 Guards volunteer* with a cat found in Donetsk
We must act now
We’re urgently working to raise $15,000 to continue emergency animal rescues and provide veterinary care in some of Ukraine’s most dangerous and underserved regions. This funding will also support long-term solutions for small-holder farmers, the backbone of Ukraine’s food system, who are struggling to care for their animals and rebuild their livelihoods in the midst of war.
And right now until May 31st**, your donation will be matched (dollar-for-dollar!) up to our $15,000 goal.
That means your support can go twice as far to save lives and build lasting systems of care.
Here's what your doubled gift could do:
🐾 $38 delivers pet food to hungry animals
🩺 $67 provides emergency veterinary treatment
🐄 $115 expands local veterinary training and community access
🐕 $145 supports rescues like Vitalik’s
🌾 $218 supplies small-scale farmers with tools, feed, and medications
🧬 $500 builds long-term, community-led animal health systems
Our work is grounded in the belief that animal welfare and human well-being are inseparable. That’s why we’re committed to providing emergency care while also strengthening Ukraine’s long-term animal health infrastructure — one animal, one family, one village at a time.
Vitalik’s story is just one among thousands. He survived because someone stepped in. With your help, we can reach the next animal in need and ensure that farmers and community members remain safe despite the ongoing challenges of war.
*12 Guards is not affiliated with the Ukraine military.
**Donations will be matched up to $15,000 until Saturday, May 31, 2025, at 11:59 pm ET thanks to our generous match donor.
Join us in strengthening veterinary services worldwide! Healthier animals lead to stronger farms, more resilient communities, and a safer, more sustainable future. Donate, volunteer, or subscribe to support disease prevention, protect farmers’ livelihoods, and reinforce the vital connection between animal, human, and environmental health.
