Abandoned Dogs: Ukraine

Have you seen the wonderful piece in the Washington Post about how the abandoned dogs in Ukraine are finding their forever homes?

After Russia invaded Ukraine, Kyiv’s top diplomat encouraged Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry staff to bring their dogs to work! What a wonderful concept.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has made the security of pets a national priority. The great lengths Ukrainian troops and volunteers have gone to rescue vulnerable dogs in need, has created an extraordinary dog-friendly country. Dogs are now welcome inside most restaurants, cafes, salons, grocery stores, and hotels in major Ukrainian cities. This is an act of profound compassion, and I hope all countries take notice of these amazing individuals, and this overall effort, helping many abandoned dogs in need during this wartime in Ukraine.

Further, the Washington Post article provides vignettes of dogs that have been left abandoned and have found new, loving homes with their adopters in Ukraine. My favorite quote from this article, summarizing the overall theme of this effort, is from an adopter living in Ukraine: “The way we treat animals is a marker of societal development, a reflection of our moral values.” 

We must all step up and give our kindness, respect, and support to these people and organizations that are doing the important and valuable work to find these worthy dogs loving, permanent homes.

The above image featuring adopters with their rescue dog in Ukraine is courtesy of photographer, Serhiy Morgunov, via the Washington Post.