Thousands of cats, dogs and other animals are left in rescue shelters with their brave Ukrainian caretakers who refuse to leave them amid Russia’s attack.
Laura Simpson, the founder of Harmony Fund, has been providing care to rescue shelters for many years.
Speaking to Daily Mail, she said: “We know these shelters and the people who run them, they are all like family and now more than ever they need our help.”
Simpson continued: “I have spoken with several shelter owners and of course they are scared, but they won’t abandon their animals.
“I have seen so much heart in Ukraine.
“These animal rescuers are their own distinct breed and they will never give up.”
Marina Dilly, the founder of Shelter Friend – a home to some 600 dogs and 200 cats – said: “Our city is empty now, no vet hospital. They shut down. There is nothing.”
“There is no dry dog food available and rice is rationed,” Dilly said to Daily Mail.
“There is a big shortage of cat food. It is not possible to get food or material items to the shelter.
“We have enough food for a few days, but if nobody helps us and if NATO does not close the sky over Ukraine, I am afraid these dogs will have little chance for survival.”
Dilly calls the animals the ‘forgotten souls’ and she refuses to leave them behind.
“There are just four of us looking after the animals, but we are not leaving. We will stay here with the animals,” Dillis added.
Even though there is not enough food and water, Shelter Friend still takes in animals that have been left behind either by people fleeing the country or brought in from other vet hospitals that were forced to close because of the ongoing conflict.
“We just brought in two injured dogs that had been abandoned and we are now helping them,” she said.
Before Russia’s attacks, many of the pets were in the process of being adopted.
“’There are so many families in other countries waiting for their new pets, but I have no way of bringing them to the border,” Dilly explained.
“We can’t move animals now because roads are blocked, borders are packed and it is too dangerous.”
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments section and SHARE this story with your friends and family!