At least 12 million people have fled their homes in Ukraine since the war began. For many, this conflict has also forced some to leave their beloved pets behind to an unknown fate. Bordering countries, such as Romania and Poland have been praised for their acceptance of both the lucky pets and the abandoned animals who have been able to escape the conflict zone.

Many have arrived carried in the arms of their owners, with no time to grab their harness, lead, a blanket to keep them warm, or even some food to keep them nourished. Many have also crossed the borders unvaccinated, carrying parasites, and diagnosed with tick-borne diseases on arrival, which has resulted in the need for a continuous supply of urgent medical resources, along with food and general essential items to neighbouring countries.

Wild at Heart Foundation is committed to providing an ongoing consistent level of aid directly to the animals affected by this crisis, both those who remain in Ukraine and also those who have sought refuge across the borders.

Sava’s Safe Haven is a family-run animal shelter, founded in 2012, near Galati in Romania ,with capacity for 250 animals. Over their 10-year history they have helped 5000 animals in need. 

Situated close to the Isaccea border into Ukraine, the Sava’s Safe Haven team regularly provided both animal and humanitarian aid at three border crossings at the outbreak of the war, whilst also working in conjunction with the Anim All Delta vet team providing medical care to displaced Ukrainian dogs, both on site at the border and also at their new charitable hospital in Isaccea.

Sava’s Safe Haven is additionally providing refuge and medical care at their shelter, whether temporary or permanent, for displaced and abandoned Ukrainian animals, along with assisting refugee pet owners to navigate their new lives in Romania.

Our Support

Since April 2022, we have provided Sava’s Safe Haven with the funds to purchase a quarantine unit for their shelter, which provides initial medical care and a place to call home for newly arrived vulnerable dogs from Ukraine. We also facilitated a large delivery of many essential dog care items which PetSafe kindly donated to us, and which have since been distributed to Ukrainian dogs in need.

In conjunction with our long-standing Romanian partner Anca, we have have also provided much needed medication which Sava’s Safe Haven transported themselves across the border to the animals of Ukraine.

We have also funded the purchase of over 2.5 tonnes of dog and cat food which has reached starving owned, stray and in-shelter dogs in the Izmail area of Ukraine, with more still to be dispatched.

Additionally, we are supporting the medical resource needs of both Sava’s Safe Haven and Animal All Delta via funding the purchase of a blood analyser machine, vaccination and disease test kits, along with microchips and pet passports; all of which will help the animals of Ukraine to have a second chance at life.

Dioz (Dolnośląski Inspektorat Ochrony Zwierząt) is a Polish animal rescue service whose team has tirelessly travelled into Ukraine to primarily rescue injured and disabled dogs from the war-torn streets and abandoned shelters; who they have then both onward transported to clinics around Poland for treatment, and also taken to their rescue centre to recuperate and begin their new lives in safety.

Our Support

Since May 2022, to alleviate the strain on their resources whilst having 100+ dogs from Ukraine in their care, we have provided Dioz with 1.5 tonnes of mainly dog, along with some cat food.

If a regular donation towards a specific project is set up and we subsequently cease to provide support in the future, any recurring donations will be allocated to the areas of our other work requiring the most support.