HOW TO SUPPORT ANIMAL SHELTERS IN TIMES OF WAR?
Learn about the needs of your local shelter
Most animal shelters currently need food, but animals also need medicines, water, pet hygiene products, and feeding supplies. It is best to contact the shelter in your city, find out what they need, and provide the animals with the necessary items.
Support shelters in other cities
On the Internet, we often see requests for help from shelters. If there are no urgent needs for animal shelters in your city, select one of the requests and organize the collection of the necessary items together with your friends or family.
Important note: Verify each request for authenticity. Contact the person in charge, clarify the needs, and collect all the necessary information to make sure the request is credible.
Provide financial support
If you are sure that the shelter is reliable, you can donate money to its representatives or arrange your own fundraising campaign. Alternatively, you can support specialized organizations, such as UAnimals, which has been engaged in evacuation, rehabilitation, humanitarian and financial assistance to animal facilities since the beginning of the war.
Take care of animals
In cities where no military actions are taking place, you can help directly at the shelter. Animal care centers often need help feeding and caring for the animals. They also need attention: You can take the animal for a walk or spend time with them, as positive emotions are also essential.
Encourage people to help
Tell your family and friends about the shelters and invite your neighbors to join in. You can also organize an initiative group at your school or university. The more people know about the needs, the more effective the help will be.
Adopt an animal
The best support is giving a pet a family. If you can adopt a pet, contact your local shelter and take it home. In this difficult time, they can become a beacon of good for you, and you can become their best friend.
Spread the word
Not everyone can adopt an animal, and it is fine. However, we can help by sharing information. You can spread the word about the shelter’s needs or pets looking for a home. Spread the word so that people can get involved.
Keep safety in mind
Helping animals is important, but it should not come at the expense of your own safety. Do not go to newly liberated cities or places where active hostilities occur until the local authorities tell you to do so. Remember that your help should not endanger your life. By taking care of ourselves, we can take care of others.