Together to a Safer Place: East SOS Shares Stories of Helping People and Their Pets

Evacuation is about more than just getting people to safety. Family pets often accompany evacuees, as they are part of the family and require support and protection. For the women featured in our story from Zaporizhzhia Oblast, caring for animals has become a way of life.

Nataliia remained in the city of Orikhiv for a long time. While the city was under shelling, she continued caring for more than 60 cats in various parts of it. When she no longer had enough money to buy food, she sold her gold chain so that the animals would not go hungry.

“I made a conscious choice not to evacuate because of our four-legged friends. A person can take care of themselves: find housing and food and meet their basic needs. But for our furry friends, it is much harder to do so. That is why we need to help them,” the woman shared.

Only recently, Nataliia decided to leave the city together with 17 cats. Now the large furry family is settling into a new place, and the food supply provided by the EAST SOS Charity Foundation team will help her continue caring for those for whose sake she did not want to leave the city for so long.

We met Anna and her family at the transit centre in Zaporizhzhia. She evacuated from the village of Novomykolaivka together with her family. During the conversation, we learned that 15 pets evacuated with them – 12 cats and 3 dogs. At their new place, a supply of pet food will help the family continue caring for their four-legged members.

Another heroine is Nataliia from Orikhiv, a primary school teacher. She lives alone, but she has a furry family nearby: 15 cats and 7 dogs.

Caring for such a large group means filling 22 bowls every day and always being there for them. EAST SOS supported Nataliia with a supply of food, giving her one less thing to worry about each day for the time being.

The war forces people to leave their homes and start their lives in new places, but pets remain part of the family no matter what. That is why during evacuations EAST SOS helps people leave together with their animals, while providing food and carriers at transit centres as needed.

If you or your loved ones need help leaving dangerous areas, you can register for free evacuation by calling the EAST SOS call centre from Monday to Saturday (8:00–18:00): 0 800 332 614.

We also provide consultations via messengers:
Viber: +38 (099) 710 48 72
Telegram: +38 (096) 108 60 48

Find out how the EAST SOS team supported the Zaporizhzhia shelter Dai Lapu Druzhe (Give Me a Paw, My Friend) after a russian attack here.