On 28 October, the "Krok do tvaryn" ("Step Towards Animals") veterinary and sterilisation centre came under Russian attack. Three people were injured, as well as three cats and a dog. Sadly, one dog did not survive. However, an urgent problem arose: where to place the animals that were being kept at the centre. Local residents stepped in to help, queuing until late at night and taking 101 animals into temporary foster care.
This was reported by Chernihiv City Council.
The centre's premises were damaged. Municipal workers and volunteers carried out urgent repairs, in particular boarding up the windows blown out by the blast.
Under such conditions, keeping the animals on site was extremely risky, so the centre asked residents to take the cats and dogs into temporary foster care. The people of Chernihiv responded actively.
Stress for the four-legged animals
The attack and the sudden change of environment were a major source of stress for the animals. The centre therefore gave temporary owners a number of tips. Some of them concern feeding: the animals should be given dry food only, with no treats from the table. The most important advice, however, was a warning about possible changes in the animals' behaviour. People were warned that, after what they had been through, the animals might have problems with walks or going to the toilet.
"We are in touch and ready to take the animals back if things don't work out for anyone. We are grateful to everyone who responded, but we know that sometimes emotions make us overestimate our capabilities. We would appreciate your feedback and continued responsible care," the centre said.
The next day, the centre asked those willing to help with the recovery not to come for the time being, as the staff needed to organise the information and draw up a clear plan of action. By the evening of 29 October, the glass and construction debris had been cleared and the windows covered with plywood.
Source: Chernihiv City Council
As for the animals, the centre is ready to take them back if the temporary owners cannot cope with their care or are not prepared to look after animals in a state of stress. However, people in the comments under a post featuring a dog named Din Din hope that some of the animals will find a new permanent home.
And a user named Kseniia, one of those who took in an animal, noted that the dog quickly settled into family life.
As a reminder, in October the "Sadiba Nyushanik" wild bird sanctuary in the Kyiv region was damaged by a Russian attack. Almost two hundred birds were killed, and the facility is beyond repair.
