The explosion of the Kakhovka dam has put thousands of people and animals in danger. Local residents are trying to rescue their own and their neighbors' trapped pets. Learn more about animal rescue rules and how to help

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On the night of August 6, the occupiers blew up the Kakhovka dam. The attack caused total flooding. The risk zone includes 80 villages and towns in the Kherson region, home to about 16,000 people. The water has already destroyed many settlements in the Kherson region and continues to arrive. An evacuation has been announced in the region.

Attention! Read here to find out where the victims can get help and what documents are needed for registration. 

Meanwhile, rescuers, police, volunteers and local residents are trying to help not only people but also animals. Dogs, cats, cows, pigs, deer, beavers, and many other animals are trapped in deadly traps. To rescue the animals, volunteers have to climb over fences and get into basements. Many animals have already been helped. Even a roe deer was rescued from the water in Antonivka, Kherson region. 

In addition, many stray animals and those living in shelters remained at risk.

In Nova Kakhovka, the local zoo "Fairy Tale Oaks" was completely destroyed. All the animals died. Only swans and ducks managed to escape, and now they are swimming past the building of the local Palace of Culture. 

The dam also affected the territory of the Nizhnedniprovsky National Nature Park, with most of the islands flooded. On June 1, the park began a season of silence, and the birds began their nesting season, but everything was underwater. It will be possible to analyze the environmental consequences of the flooding only when the water recedes. 

How to save an animal from flooding?

The Ministry of Internal Affairs emphasizes that if you leave an animal in a zone of possible flooding, release it from chains, let it out of cages or closed buildings. Such simple actions will give animals a chance to be saved.  

However, it is definitely much better to take your smaller friends with you to evacuate. 

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Where to get help with animal evacuation?

Animal rights activists are ready to help with the evacuation of animals and provide shelters. You can apply for animal evacuation to one of the following organizations:

• Charity fund "Ukraine. United in Diversity";

• public organization "Phoenix";

• public organization "Petro and Mazepa";

• charitable association "12 guards";

• Saveukraine.center.

The All-Ukrainian Center for Assistance to Homeless Animals Patron Pets Center in Kyiv is ready to accept animals evacuated from the Kherson Region.

Also, the Leo states Ukraine team and Garden prostir are ready to help with the placement of animals from the flooded zoos of the Kherson region in the Amila Ecopark (Volyn region) and in the Lviv region on the territory of the Garden Prostir park.

How can IDPs with animals find accommodation?

It is often very difficult for IDPs with animals to find housing. That is why UAnimals has launched a flash mob "Shelter with animals", in which volunteers call on all Ukrainians who can shelter people with animals to help. To participate in the campaign, you need to make a post on one of the social networks and indicate how many people and animals you are ready to take in.

Be sure to add the hashtag #shelterwithanimals to your post. This is how people who need help will be able to see all posts with the hashtag and contact those offering shelters. 

Rules for evacuating with pets

If possible, take your pets with you. 

- Make sure that your pet has an identifier with your contacts on its collar (a piece of paper with your phone number on it). Also indicate the pet's name and the owner's phone number on the carrier.

- Prepare documents for the animal, medical passport, medicines, leashes and collar, food and water (preferably for 7 days), feeding bowl, cat litter box, diapers for small dogs, garbage bags, paper towels, wet wipes, disinfectant, toys. 

- During the trip, keep your dog on a leash and cats and other small animals in carriers. 

- Animals can get scared and behave badly in crowds or during explosions, so be patient with them. 

How to help?

The Visit Ukraine team has launched an urgent collection to support the affected animals. You can make a donation in support of defenseless four-legged friends here.

Your donations will help organizations that urgently address the issue of helping furry animals.

UAnimals suggests trying to draw as much attention as possible to the ecocide in Ukraine. To do this, everyone can organize a separate picket:

- Draw a poster in the language of your country of residence with the text "Russia has blown up the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station and is destroying the future of the planet. #StopEcocideUkraine".

- Go with the poster to the state or local authorities in your city.

- Post photos on social media with the hashtag #StopEcocideUkraine.

Read more about the consequences of the Kakhovka dam explosion and the scale of the largest man-made disaster in Europe in recent decades in our article here.

Main photo: SES

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