How Does The Russia-Ukraine War Affect Pets And Animals

HYDERABAD, India - May 19, 2025 - PRLog -- When we talk about war, we usually think about soldiers, destruction, and the loss of human life, but what about the animals?

In the Russia-Ukraine war, thousands of pets, street animals, and even wild creatures suffered silently every day as the conflict continued. The war affected them in many painful and often invisible ways, and their stories deserved attention.

As bombs fell and people fled, many pets were left behind. Some families were forced to run without their dogs or cats because they were not allowed to carry animals across borders, or they did not have space in shelters. These pets often wandered the streets, scared and confused, looking for their owners or food.

In cities like Kharkiv and Mariupol, large numbers of abandoned animals were seen walking alone through destroyed neighborhoods.

Animal shelters in Ukraine became full and overloaded. They tried their best to rescue and care for these animals, but war made everything difficult. There was not enough food, medicine, or staff. Some shelters even got damaged by bombings.

Volunteers from Ukraine and other countries tried to help, but the needs were greater. Many rescued animals waited for months before finding a safe home. Just like people, animals also got injured in the war. Dogs and cats got hurt by bullets, bombs, and landmines. Some animals lost legs or suffered burns. Veterinarians said that many dogs showed signs of stress and fear, just like humans with trauma. They stopped eating, became aggressive, or hid when they heard loud sounds like sirens or fireworks.

Wildlife also suffered. Birds flew away from their nests because of loud explosions. Forests burned, and rivers got polluted.
In some areas, wild animals were caught in the crossfire. Even zoos were affected. Zoo staff in Mykolaiv faced hardships feeding and safeguarding animals like lions, elephants, and bears. Some animals died due to cold and hunger. Support poured in globally as individuals and groups stepped up to assist. Animal rescue groups from Germany, Poland, the UK, and even India supported Ukrainian shelters. They sent food, medicine, and money.

Some volunteers even risked their lives by entering war zones to save animals. In a few cases, rescued pets were taken to safe countries where they were adopted into loving homes. But there were still many problems. Pet food was hard to find. Veterinary care was limited. Power cuts and transport issues made everything worse. Animal rescuers worked without sleep, often in dangerous areas, just to save lives that could not speak for themselves.

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