Rescue Team Takes In 87 Animals Evacuated From Oleshky
UAnimals is treating evacuated pets ranging from concussed dogs to suspected tumors in six clinics after the October 31 exodus from the occupied city.
By Lucas Sheridan ·
Eighty-seven cats and dogs are currently under the care of the animal rights organization UAnimals following their extraction from the temporarily occupied city of Oleshky. The animals arrived in Ukrainian-controlled territory in various states of distress, with many appearing exhausted and dirty after a long journey. Some of the rescued animals also arrived with concussions or physical ailments that require immediate medical attention.
The UAnimals team coordinated the transfer of these animals after residents evacuated by bus on October 31. Many evacuees had brought their pets to hospitals, where the animals required separate veterinary checks. The rescue team collected nearly all of the cats and dogs on November 1 and 2, moving them from the human wards to specialized transport vehicles and then to veterinary clinics.
Anastasiia Heichuk, the head of the rescue department at UAnimals, described the anxiety of the evacuees in the hospital wards. "When I entered the wards, the first thing people asked was where their animals were," Heichuk said. "They didn't yet know if they had arrived, if they were alive, or what condition they were in." Heichuk noted that some residents left the city with almost no belongings but kept their pets, prioritizing the animals' safety over their own needs during the evacuation.
The eighty-seven animals are now distributed across six veterinary clinics. Veterinary staff are treating weakened animals, those with concussions, and pets requiring dental work. Some animals are scheduled for further examinations due to suspected tumors or hernias, and one animal is expected to need surgery. Veterinarians are waiting for test results to confirm diagnoses before finalizing treatment plans.
The evacuation route for Oleshky residents involved a bus journey to Belarus, followed by a border crossing in Chernihiv Oblast to reach Ukrainian-controlled land. Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights, confirmed that evacuees brought a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, a parrot, and a raccoon. Special transport fitted with cages was organized to accommodate the pets during the move.
UAnimals is covering the costs of all care and treatment for the rescued animals. The organization has not launched a separate fundraiser for this mission, though supporters can contribute through donations or by subscribing to its Animal Rescuers Club. Most of the animals have families and are expected to return to them, while others will be placed in shelters.
