Refugees flood into Poland with their companion animals β Viva! Poland organise vital support. The war in Ukraine is a tragedy not only for people but also for animals. It is hard to describe the current situation β bombs and rockets are dropped on shelters, animals die on the spot or run around in shock. There is a shortage of food and resources for treating sick and injured animals.
The situation is dramatic. Poland, to provide vital support to the animals caught in the crossfire of the war. At the heart of our humanitarian effort is our acre sanctuary at Korabiewicach near Warsaw, where we have taken in cats and dogs from Ukrainian shelters who were at risk of starving or being bombed β as well as some from refugees who could not care for them any longer, but with existing animals in the shelter it is rapidly filling up.
They have responded magnificently, creating more space for us to receive new refugee dogs. Cezary Wyzinsky has been in charge of Viva! Poland for 18 years. But now it is better organised, with six refugee centres having been set up in Warsaw who contact us with details of what they need β food, carriers, leads, flea collars and so on.
So far, we have delivered over forty-five tonnes of food, some within Warsaw but most of it we have sent to the group, Animal ID Ukraine. They are supplying sanctuaries and groups of animals within Ukraine.
Our volunteers and resident vet, along with a refugee vet from Ukraine, have been able to settle, reassure and treat the often traumatised new arrivals. It is a desperate situation, with two million refugees and their companion animals now in Poland, and the flow continues. We are coping at the moment but we are very close to capacity. Juliet has done multiple interviews on radio and TV on Viva! Poland dropped everything to help people and animals in need and we are supporting them.
