MARCH 1, 2023 – A project called Kishka by FOUR PAWS focus its efforts to specifically take care of stray cats roaming the streets in five Ukrainian cities including Chernihiv, Sumy, Boryspil, Uman, and Poltava. The goal of project Kishka (the Ukrainian word for “female cat”) is to sterilize and vaccinate 10,000 stray cats by the end of 2023.

One year ago, the Russian war on Ukraine has started with millions of people fleeing their homes, taking with them only what they could carry. Often pets were left behind with a heavy heart. Due to this state of emergency the number of stray animals in the embattled streets of Ukraine has risen significantly.

FOUR PAWS began working in Ukraine in 2012 through its Stray Animal Care (SAC) program, which has delivered veterinary care to 30,000 stray dogs and cats in over 60 municipalities. The team in Ukraine operates a mobile clinic, which carries out catch-neuter-vaccinate-return projects in different municipalities in the country. Now running at full capacity again, the team is able to deliver more urgently needed care to the countless number of homeless pets and terrified stray animals. To provide psychological support, FOUR PAWS also continues with their Animal Assisted Interventions team visiting with children, soldiers, and refugees. FOUR PAWS also built in 2017and continues to run BEAR SANCTUARY Domazhyr in Western Ukraine.

FOUR PAWS’ Boston-based office positioned instrumental support for Ukraine by partnering with American grant organizations and private donors. “The outpouring of philanthropic support has made our life-saving efforts in Ukraine possible,” says Danika Oriol-Morway, Country Director of FOUR PAWS USA. “We are moved and inspired by our partners,” Oriol-Morway continued, “these include MSPCA Angell, The ASPCA, Animal Welfare Institute, Petco Love Foundation, The Triple T Foundation, A Kinder World Foundation and others who wish to remain anonymous, who’s support allows FOUR PAWS to do what it does best, provide critical care for animals in need.”