Despite the ongoing war in Ukraine, the staff at the German Animal Welfare Federation's Odessa Animal Welfare Center continued to neuter and care for free-roaming street cats and dogs. The figures that have now been published demonstrate the successful efforts of the animal welfare workers, who work according to the "catch, neuter, release" concept. Despite all odds, the center's vets neutered 445 dogs and 868 cats in 2023.
"The work at the animal welfare center is very important to us. For 19 years, we have been there for animals in need in Odessa with the center; since then, we have been able to take in 80,000 street animals and neuter over 65,000. The animals need us more than ever and we believe in the project. We don't want to give up everything we have achieved for the animals - even if we are working under almost unbearable conditions due to the war," says Irina Naumova, Head of the Odessa Animal Welfare Center.
The staff at the animal welfare center currently carry out around 28 castrations per week. They also treat injured or sick animals. Since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression, over 2,765 cats and dogs have been taken in and cared for - including over 2,300 animals that have been neutered. Every castration helps to prevent further animal suffering, as the animals would otherwise reproduce uncontrollably. The offspring most likely face a short and painful life without care and medical attention.
Care for abandoned animals
Even though the main focus of the animal welfare center has so far been on castrating street animals, the war has also led to changes in the way animals are treated in Odessa. The animal welfare workers are now increasingly taking care of abandoned animals. "We are seeing many new cats on the streets that have probably been left behind or abandoned by their owners because of the war. They are in urgent need of our help," says Naumova. Although the additional animal feed and medical products needed for this are still available, they are more expensive than before the war.
In order to continue to support the project in Ukraine with the necessary funds, the German Animal Welfare Federation is dependent on donations. Animal lovers who would like to donate can find more information on the website www.tierschutzbund.de/spendenprojekt-ukraine.
Note to editors: The German Animal Welfare Federation provides information about its help for animals in need in Ukraine on its website and in its members' magazine DU UND DAS TIER.
