PETA HELPS UKRAINE: Over 17’000 Animals Rescued During the War

That is 24,000 hours of pain, suffering and destruction through attacks with bombs, rockets and drones.

From the very beginning, PETA has been on the ground with its project PETA HELPS UKRAINE and is helping animals in desperate need. Together with the animal welfare activists of Animal Rescue Kharkiv (ARK), a close-knit network has emerged that has already saved well over 17,000 lives. On the occasion of the upcoming day of mourning, PETA urges society not to lose sight of people and animals in Ukraine, because every life counts!

Sylvie Bunz, Project Manager PETA HELPS Ukraine and Head of Special Projects, on PETA Germany's largest charitable project:

It is unimaginable what 1,000 days of war mean for people and animals in Ukraine — their homeland lies in ruins. The on-site response team requires tremendous strength to rescue animals near the front line every day, provide them with comprehensive medical care, house them and place them for adoption with loving people. We stand by them for as long as they need us and for as long as we can make this support possible.

Igor Sobko, Director of ARK, on the current situation near the front line:

When we rescue animals in the contested areas, we are treading on extremely thin ice and risk our lives every day. We plan every mission as safely as humanly possible and remain vigilant at all times. Throughout all 1,000 days, we have been constantly aware that safety is now merely a feeling; in reality, it no longer exists. We are operating absolutely at our limit, and our capacities are reaching their boundaries. Yet the suffering does not end. Every day, many new animals arrive who urgently need care — without PETA as a strong partner, we would be lost.

«PETA HELPS UKRAINE» project overview: More than 17,000 animals have already been rescued

• 1,300 safe places for animals in need: The project houses dogs, cats, horses, sheep, goats, chickens, pigeons, geese, ducks, swans, fish and many more.
• Establishment of an animal clinic: Since October 2022, up to 160 seriously ill and injured animals can be operated on and optimally cared for there daily.
• Establishment of a neutering project: Around 150 animals are neutered every month in order to reduce the suffering and hardship that would arise from the births of thousands of additional animals.
• Almost 1,700 tonnes of vegan animal food have so far been produced for the project and transported to Ukraine, often under difficult conditions.
• A fleet of vehicles has been acquired for the transport of animals and is being maintained under extreme strain.
• All animals in the project receive medical care, are taken through quarantine and prepared for travel in accordance with European Union regulations. The majority of animals are reunited with their displaced owners in Europe or in calmer areas of Ukraine. The others are rehomed with animal-loving people through partner shelters across Europe.

Since February 2022, this has become the largest charitable project that PETA Deutschland has helped build and largely financed in its 30 years of existence.

In 2024, PETA Deutschland celebrates its 30th anniversary. On this occasion, the organisation calls for animals to be recognised before the law as persons — that is, as bearers of interests worthy of protection — and to be granted fundamental rights . PETA's motto is: animals are not here for us to experiment on, eat, wear, be entertained by, or exploit in any other way. The organisation campaigns against speciesism — a form of discrimination in which animals are devalued on the basis of their species membership.