LI's Paws Of War Strives To Help Animals In Ukraine

NESCONSET, NY — Paws of War, a Nesconset-based nonprofit, is working to help animals its volunteers have found starving and injured on the war-torn streets of Ukraine, the organization announced.

Conditions have worsened for animals that were left behind in Ukraine as refugees have fled the country en masse during the Russian invasion, according to Paws of War. Animals have been found trapped inside buildings that have been damaged or destroyed.

While many people are focused on the needs of humans, Paws of War has turned its efforts to help save the animals. The nonprofit has been on the ground since the war started, and volunteers are ramping up their efforts to rescue, feed, and provide medical care for the family pets that have been left to fend for themselves.

“It is heartbreaking knowing these dogs and cats are constantly just searching for food, water, and shelter," said Dereck Cartright, a disabled veteran who is the stateside logistics coordinator at Paws of War. “It is a true Armageddon for them. We can’t just sit back and let these animals suffer.”

For those who would like to donate to help Paws of War's efforts in Ukraine, you may do so here.

With circumstances for animals becoming much worse, even more so than was expected, many animals live on the streets of Ukraine, Paws of War stated.

"They are suffering and struggling to survive," the organization wrote.

Paws of War has installed feeding stations to help animals in need of food. The automatic feeding stations will be kept full, allowing the cats and dogs in need to access them for food and water at any time.

“The feeding stations are a simple concept that saves lives,” Cartright said. “We just need help to keep everything running.”

The Paws of War team on the ground has provided medical care, food, and water, with no sign of letting up in sight, according to the organization. It has also partnered with a drone operator specializing in lost, hard-to-find animals.

Douglas Thron and Ryan Okrant have been instrumental in finding many of these animals that might be stranded or stuck and getting them to safety with the Paws of War team.

Paws of War has been operating around the world since 2014, helping the military save the animals they rescue while deployed overseas. They have helped veterans with numerous issues, including suicide, service and support dogs, companion cats and dogs, food insecurity, veterinary care, and animal rescue for deployed military. As the demand for Paws of War's services grew, traditional fundraisers like galas and golf outings were sidelined, putting a crimp in the needed funding to keep these services going. Paws of War has a large loyal following of supporters and looks forward to working with new corporate sponsors to support these life-saving programs.