Animals at War: Rescues, Mascots and Survival Stories from Ukraine’s Pets and Zoos

As Russian bombs have fallen across Ukraine since February 2022, the war has not only brought suffering to millions of people but also to the silent victims of conflict: animals. From family pets abandoned during evacuations to zoo animals trapped in besieged cities, and even military mascots boosting morale on the front lines, Ukraine’s animals have endured the hardships of war alongside their human companions. Yet amidst the destruction, stories of compassion, rescue and resilience have emerged, reminding the world of the enduring bond between humans and animals—even in the darkest times.

The Plight of Companion Animals

When war forces people to flee, beloved pets are often caught in the chaos. In the early weeks of Russia’s full-scale invasion, heartbreaking images emerged from Irpin and Bucha—dogs tied to fences, cats hiding in bombed-out buildings, and volunteers braving shellfire to feed and rescue them. Many refugees refused to leave without their pets, and humanitarian corridors were at times choked with families clutching dogs in carriers or cats wrapped in blankets.

Ukraine’s robust animal welfare community, bolstered by international support, rapidly mobilised to address this crisis. Organisations like UAnimals, Four Paws, and Sirius Shelter coordinated rescue operations and established temporary shelters in safer parts of the country. They distributed pet food, organized sterilisation programmes in war-affected areas and facilitated the evacuation of animals abroad. In Poland, Romania and Slovakia, special veterinary and shelter arrangements were made to accommodate pets crossing the border with their owners.

Nevertheless thousands of animals remain displaced or have perished. Stray populations have increased in front-line cities, and the trauma endured by both animals and owners continues to raise concern among veterinarians and psychologists alike.

Ukraine’s Zoos Under Fire

Perhaps nowhere was the danger more acute than in Ukraine’s zoos. Kyiv Zoo, Dnipro Zoo and the historic Mykolaïv Zoo (at one point on the front line and the furthest the Russians were able to advance in the Battle of Mykolaïv) were all at risk during air raids and bombardments. Staff often refused to evacuate, staying behind to care for their animals under wartime conditions.

The situation at Feldman Ecopark near Kharkiv was particularly tragic. This private zoo, located in an area of heavy fighting, was partially destroyed by artillery fire. Several animals, including primates and big cats, were killed during the shelling. The zoo’s director Oleksandr Feldman, who stayed to lead evacuation efforts, reported in April 2022 that dozens of animals died from stress, shrapnel wounds, or starvation. Eventually a heroic operation allowed volunteers to move many surviving animals—lions, tigers and even camels—to safety in Western Ukraine or abroad.

International networks like the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) and Born Free Foundation coordinated rescue missions and provided medical supplies and transport logistics. These efforts served not just animal welfare, but also symbolized global solidarity with Ukraine.

Animal Mascots on the Front Line

Amidst the destruction, animals have also brought moments of light. The Ukrainian Armed Forces have embraced several animal mascots that have become symbols of resistance and hope. Perhaps the most famous is Patron, the Jack Russell Terrier who serves as a mine-detection dog for the State Emergency Service. Trained to sniff out unexploded ordnance, Patron has been credited with helping clear hundreds of mines and has become a national icon. In May 2022, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded him a medal for bravery, and he now appears regularly in educational campaigns.

Other military units have unofficial mascots—cats in trenches, dogs adopted by soldiers, even goats and pigeons. These animals often serve as sources of emotional support, companionship, and morale. Their stories circulate widely on Ukrainian social media, offering comfort and a touch of humanity amidst grim wartime updates.

Resilience and Symbolism

The survival and care of animals during war is more than just a humanitarian effort—it carries symbolic weight. Ukrainian culture has long cherished animals in folklore and rural life, and the determination to rescue and protect them under fire is deeply tied to Ukraine's national resilience. As cultural institutions and libraries have burned, so too have farms, barns, and stables—yet efforts to rebuild and protect life in all its forms continue.

In many cities, volunteers—often young people and retirees—maintain daily routines of feeding stray dogs and cats, rebuilding kennels and running mobile veterinary clinics. In Kherson, where flooding and displacement due to the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka Dam in July 2023 compounded suffering, animal rescue teams worked hand-in-hand with civilian evacuation groups. Footage of soldiers cradling kittens or leading injured dogs to safety from shelled towns often goes viral, underscoring the human-animal connection.

The International Response

Global organisations have played a vital role in supporting Ukraine’s animals. Donations from ordinary citizens, animal rights groups, and celebrities have enabled rescue operations, veterinary care, and emergency food drops. The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), PETA, and Humane Society International have all conducted missions in Ukraine or supported local groups with grants and logistics.

Moreover countries receiving Ukrainian refugees have eased pet import rules, waived quarantine in many cases, and offered support services. This humane approach has mitigated the heartbreak of separation and allowed displaced people to retain vital emotional bonds.

Ukraine's love for animals

In war animals are too often overlooked casualties. But in Ukraine, the fate of pets, farm animals and zoo residents has become part of the broader narrative of resilience and moral clarity. From the ruins of shelled shelters to the muddy trenches where dogs comfort soldiers, animals have helped Ukrainians endure and humanised the war for global audiences.

The stories of Patron the mine-sniffing dog, the lions of Feldman Ecopark, and countless unnamed street animals remind us that war’s devastation touches all species—and that compassion and courage can extend beyond the human world.