Dramatic call for help from Ukraine
The situation in Ukraine is dramatic. Not only the people, but also the animals are suffering from the war. The entire Donetsk region is to be forcibly evacuated. Many have already left the region. But a local animal rights activist did not want to flee without her animals and asked Gut Aiderbichl for help. She took care of 94 orphaned dogs and 29 cats that were left behind in the war zone.
Under the most difficult conditions, Gut Aiderbichl’s animal rescuers managed to bring a total of 123 animals to safety in two spectacular rescue missions. Gut Aiderbichl rented and renovated an empty animal shelter in Bissendorf near Osnabrück especially to house the animals. The animals were exposed to great psychological stress, are very traumatised and urgently need medical care. We can only do this with your help!
Please support the animals from Ukraine with your donation.
We set off immediately
Residents in Donetsk, near the front lines, received an evacuation order in September 2022. An animal rescuer from the town of Dobropillia tried to take care of 94 dogs and 29 cats under these difficult conditions. She did not want to leave the animals alone, and thus to certain death.
In an initial rescue operation by Gut Aiderbichl in mid-September, 45 dogs and 10 cats were brought from Ukraine to Germany. The rescue operation was extremely risky. Gut Aiderbichl employees travelled to the animal shelter in Dobropillia together with the organisation “Breaking the chains”. Together with the owner of the shelter, Tatjana, the animals were loaded and brought across the border. Gut Aiderbichl rented a vacant animal shelter in Bissendorf near Osnabrück especially for the best possible care of the animals. After several days of travelling, the exhausted animals were given initial care in Osnabrück.
No animal is left behind
Due to official problems in Ukraine, it was unfortunately not possible to take all the animals with us during our first emergency evacuation in mid-September. 68 animals had to stay behind in Donetsk. For the animal rescuers at Gut Aiderbichl, it is an obligation to save all the animals. No animal will be left behind!
In mid-October, all the necessary documents were together and the courageous animal rescuers from Gut Aiderbichl were able to set off on their second journey. Under the most difficult conditions, the Gut Aiderbichl staff managed to bring the remaining animals to safety. They were given initial care at the specially rented animal shelter in Osnabrück, where they can recover from their ordeal.
All of the 123 rescued animals were exposed to great psychological stress, are very traumatised and urgently need medical care.
Enable the animals to live in peace. Support us with your donation.
Here are some of the animals we were able to save
More videos
of our Ukraine relief operations
It's done!
The relief is great! The risky rescue mission to Dobropillia, near the front line, has come to a happy end. All 123 animals were rescued from the Ukraine. The animals are now receiving initial care at the rescue centre in Osnabrück. By looking after the animals, we have also taken on a major financial responsibility.
The joy of reunion
After a risky journey through Ukraine, our employees are now on site in Dobropillia for the second time. The joy of reunion is great! Finally, the remaining 68 animals can be loaded. More animal rescuers from Gut Aiderbichl are already waiting in the next largest town to bring the animals across the border and to safety.
Back on the road
Second emergency evacuation from Ukraine
Finally arrived
But it's not over yet
We have made it! After days of travelling in extremely difficult conditions, our animal rescuers have finally arrived at our rescue centre in Osnabrück. The animal rescuers, as well as the 45 dogs and 10 cats, are visibly relieved that they survived the journey safely. But the relief does not last long. Due to official problems in Ukraine, it was unfortunately not possible for us to take all the animals with us. 70 animals are still waiting in Donetsk to be rescued! We are not leaving any animals behind and are therefore already planning the next trip to Ukraine. Time is of the essence and we will not give up until we have brought all 125 animals to safety.
Arrival at the shelter
and then the shock
After an arduous and hours-long journey, our animal rescuers have finally found a way to the animals in Ukraine. They are now in the process of loading the animals – now the shock – due to official problems we cannot take all the animals with us. It breaks our hearts – but we are not giving up and are in the process of planning another journey. In the meantime, our animal rescuers set off with 45 dogs and 10 cats to leave the war zone.
Journey of our animal rescuers
through the Ukraine
Our animal rescuers have been travelling for hours, desperately trying to find a way to the animal rescuer Tatjana and her more than 100 dogs and cats in the embattled Donetsk region. Unfortunately, there are many roadblocks and some of the roads are in very poor condition. But we are not giving up and are confident that we will find a way! We will get back to you as soon as we finally reach Tatyana and her animals!
Dramatic cry for help
from the Ukraine
We received a desperate call for help from an animal rescuer in the embattled Donetsk region. She looks after over 100 dogs and cats there. Now the entire area is to be evacuated. But she cannot and will not leave the animals to their fate. Gut Aiderbichl is her last hope!
We can’t look away here and we’re on our way immediately!
Situation on site
in the Ukraine
Once again in Ukraine
Fully loaded with food and donations in kind, we set off for Ukraine again. Unfortunately, we were unable to deliver the relief supplies directly to the animal welfare organisation in Mykolayiv as planned because the roads were closed due to bombing. However, thanks to the help of a bus driver, all the food and donations in kind were finally able to reach the animal rights activist in Mykolayiv, who in turn was able to distribute them to animal shelters and needy private individuals and their animals. It is moving to see what is possible when we all stick together to protect the animals.
At Gut Aiderbichl
The Ukrainian families with over 40 animals have finally arrived at Gut Aiderbichl. Now they can recover a little from their traumatic experiences and the dogs can romp around in the large dog meadow that was built for them and leave the stress behind. Even though we have helped the Ukrainian families and their animals out of their plight, they still have the sad fate of having lost their home and having to leave their men behind in the war zone. Many other people and animals share this fate. We are endeavouring to help as many as possible and urgently need your support!
Meeting
In the early hours of the morning, our animal rescuers met the Ukrainian family and their animals. The relief at being assured of accommodation at Gut Aiderbichl’s Schroffner estate (in Henndorf near Salzburg) was palpable. However, the group still has a long journey ahead of them. They will make a stopover in Hungary to recover from their exertions.
Meanwhile, work in Henndorf is in full swing: the accommodation is being prepared for the family of eight and a large run is being built for the numerous dogs.
Late in the evening
at the border
Our animal rescuers are still at the Ukrainian border waiting for the family. They have already delivered over 1500kg of dog food to the local animal shelter. We very much hope that the family and their animals will be able to cross the border safely.
Support our rescue operation with a donation to help the animals and their owners – quickly and effectively. We will inform you as soon as we receive news!
Arrived
on the border with Ukraine
Our animal rescuers are in Siret in the border region and are providing help on the ground. In the meantime, they have made contact with a group who are currently fleeing across the border to Romania with their animals. The family does not have the heart to leave their animals behind in the war zone, but would also like to bring their four-legged friends to safety. The animal rescuers from Gut Aiderbichl are helping! We will keep you up to date!
Departure
Direction Ukraine
The animal rescuers from Gut Aiderbichl in action. On Friday, the animal rescuers set off for the Ukrainian border. Fully loaded with dog food and first aid kits, they have an important mission: to help people and animals who are in need because of the war.
Support our rescue mission with a donation to help the animals and their owners.
Don't look away - Gut Aiderbichl provides unbureaucratic and fast help on site.
Dieter Ehrengruber, Chairman of Gut Aiderbichl
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