Ukraine | Worldwide Vets

Operation UKRAINE

We believe every animal should be able to receive treatment and stand a chance at a happy and healthy future. Many animals have been abandoned and are living on the streets, scavenging for food and fighting for survival. The lucky ones are in shelters or under the care of those who have stayed behind despite the risks. In some circumstances owners are struggling to pay for veterinary care due to the war effecting the economy, employment, and cost of living.

We strive to provide the best treatment possible by pProviding veterinary care totally free of charge, working with animals right up to the frontline, bringing in veterinary donations, supporting vets and owners with training and case support, and working with other Ukrainian and international organizations. Thanks to you, we are able to continue this work. Despite being in the headlines less, the war continues to rage and advance across Ukrainian territory putting innocent lives at risk. Russian missiles rain down every day in the South East, and this shows no signs of stopping. If you can spare any donation towards this cause, we need your support now more than ever.

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Summary of 2024

As the temperatures drop, we pause our work of the year and reflect on what a huge achievement we have made in 2024. This year we smashed the ceiling of what we thought could be achieved. We spent thousands of hours catching, operating, and recovering animals in need. Often waiting for bombing to stop so we can dash to the clinic, collect more animals, or run to the street and rescue those injured by the shards of metal that fall from the sky.

We have continued to witness great suffering and sadness, but found the strength to push on despite this, sometimes with an occasional cry for the horrors and injustice of war, but always finding joy in bringing care to animals, and hope to people most affected by the conflict. In 2024 we are proud have sterilised a total of 3,547 animals. 919 female dogs 282 male dogs 1803 female cats 543 male cats We have also completed: 3949 rabies vaccinations 4198 parasite treatments 3659 animals dewormed 141 critical cases and hospitalizations This all adds up to 13,345 treatments provided to the animals of Ukraine in 2024 2024 international volunteers On the 9th April - 12th April and 29th April - 11th of May 2024 we hosted 2 large international groups of volunteers who came from USA and Europe to provide help to the animals of Ukraine. Over these 2 missions we sterilised a total of 210 female dogs, 50 male dogs, 304 female cats and 89 male cats, totaling 653 sterilisations in a month. This takes our 2024 count to 1089 sterilisations and 4755 treatments when accounting for the large number of rabies and core vaccines, flea and worm treatments given. This work focused on the West of Ukraine, where there are a large number of abandoned animals, and we also treated a number of dogs evacuated straight to us from the frontline. With our international teams departing, the core team returns to the East of Ukraine to continue our frontline work.

Summary of 2023

In 2023 we launched the most ambitious effort yet to provide veterinary care to pets in the Ukraine. Alongside The Street Dog Coalition we developed a mobile vet clinic to further our impact with Operation Ukraine. The clinic, a towable trailer, has 3 surgery tables, 16 cages, surgery lighting, anesthesia machines, heating, vaccine fridges and more.

Lovingly produced by Magnum Mobile Specialty Vehicles, it travelled 5,000 miles by sea to Southampton in the UK, arriving early 2023. The clinic then made a long journey from England to Ukraine, driven by Dr Campling, covering a total of 2,900 km. It is now busy serving animals around the country. The clinic allows us to provide care to stray animals, pets, shelters and rescuers, whilst having all of our gear close to hand. Thanks to your support, we finished 2023 having completed over 10,000 treatments which include: 2558 sterilization surgeries consisting of 1587 female dogs, 55 male dogs, 860 female cats and 56 male cats. 2404 vaccines against rabies 816 annual vaccinations 2267 parasite treatments (tick/flea) 1430 dogs and cats dewormed 101 additional procedures including consultations, medical workups, x-rays, and critical care 237 horses vaccinated for flu and tetanus 225 horses dewormed

Presenting our work

We feel very privileged to have the opportunity to discuss our Ukraine outreach work at various conferences since we began our involvement, in February 2022. Dr Campling has presented at the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), Western Veterinary Conference (WVC) and American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

Being able to utilize these platforms to further highlight the reality of life on the ground, the good work occurring, and updating our supporters on the developments of our outreach work is a privilege, and we want to give thanks to the organizers and associations who have hosted us these conferences.

Speaking about this topic is always a daunting task; to relay the terrors of war, as well as the hope, gratitude and optimism for the future. A huge thank you to everyone who comes to hear our talks, and to those who have pledged their support.

RESCUING WILDLIFE

Many of our team have a background in wildlife translocation and medicine. This has been utilized on numerous occasions in Ukraine to help with moving and treating wild species threatened by the war. From advising on immobilization drugs and movement protocols for ostrich, antelope and carnivores, to carrying out the rescues of animals under attack from Russian forces.

Our largest evacuation was the movement of 9 lions out of Odessa from under the Russian’s noses. It took many people, weeks of planning, military convoys and a cool disposition in the face of pressure. Moving these lions was an important course of action. With advancing Russian forces, not only were the lion’s lives in danger, but if the zoo was bombed and the cage compromised, the escaped lions would pose a huge risk to public safety. Lifting a 250kg lion on to a head height truck with make shift stretchers takes some skill, but it’s nothing compared to the muscle and nerve needed to do 4 days nonstop travel across 2,000 km, with 6 international borders in a high risk area. Thankfully we were in and out of the frontline as fast as possible and the whole procedure went smoothly.

Our director Dr Gemma Campling managed the darting and immobilization of the whole pride. Breaking The Chains provided logistics, manpower and vehicles, and Warriors of Wildlife took on the legal responsibility and care of these beautiful cats as they left the zoo. The pride of 9 have now found their forever home at The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Colorado, USA, where they can live out their days in peace and safety.

Lion rescue Video

Photo Updates

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Our ability to provide free veterinary care for working equids and shelter dogs depends on generous supporters like you. Here’s how you can make an impact:

Donate Today – Every contribution helps fund medicine, supplies, and veterinary services.
Sponsor a shelter dog or cat– Give an animal in need hope and assist with their feeding, vaccinating or rehoming costs as we move them from the frontline to safer locations
Join us in Ukraine–Our outreach missions to Ukraine are for qualified vets and nurses to join us and assist with bringing care to all animmal species. Our planned missions are currently fully booked

HELP US KEEP GOING

By donating to Worldwide Vets, you are directly contributing to the veterinary care of animals in Ukraine. From stray dogs, to displaced horses, feral cats to beloved pets on the frontline, it goes toward real work happening every day. Donate today and make a difference.