As soon as the first bombs started exploding, residents in Ukraine immediately uprooted their lives. A lot of them fled to safety, going to nearby countries. Sadly, because of the urgency of the situation, many dogs and other pets were left behind. Either there is no space for the creatures, or they are not allowed to cross the border.
Some families stayed at the border, refusing to leave their dogs homeless. They needed to know that their pets were safe. When Konrad Kuzminski, a Polish animal rescuer, learned about their plight, he knew he had to do something.
More than 100 animals
Konrad is the co-founder of an animal charity organization called Dioz. Together with his colleagues and volunteers, they have made regular runs into Ukraine, looking for dogs that need their help. They have also called upon animal rescue organizations based in Ukraine to collaborate with them.
Once Ukrainian pet owners realized that Konrad and his fellow rescuers were there to help, Dioz was flooded with hundreds of calls asking for assistance. They even received numerous photos of animals abandoned by their owners.
According to Konrad, they try to get as many details as possible. Unfortunately, they can’t get them all. They don’t have many resources to spend looking for abandoned dogs.
But ever since their cross-border rescue missions have started, they have saved more than 100 dogs and other creatures. Most of them are temporarily staying in their shelter facility in the outskirts of Przemysl, Poland, which is very near the border.
Dangerous work
Konrad and his group of brave rescuers know that they put their lives in danger each time they cross the border. But because most of Ukraine’s efforts are focused on defending their freedom, saving animals is not the highest priority. There is an urgent need for someone else to step up for these helpless creatures. And they are more than willing to do this.
Source: Dioz via Instagram
