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HOPEFULL PAWS
HopeFull Future extends its mission to provide vital support to animal shelters in Ukraine, recognizing the immense impact of the war on lost, injured, and traumatized animals. We are specifically aiding three shelters – two near the front lines in Nikopol and Kherson/Mykolaiv oblast, and one outside Lviv – by providing food, financial aid, alongside neutering & medical services. Those courageous local teams who run these shelters have dedicated themselves to caring for abandoned dogs and cats at huge personal risk to themselves (both the Nikopol & Kherson/Mykolaiv shelters are within artillery range of Front Line and are often shelled) Our commitment is rooted in supporting animals directly within Ukraine, honouring these local teams, and understanding that this approach is now the most practical and effective solution (supporting animals in Ukraine is much more cost effective than trying to seek adopted homed for them in the UK).
Crucially, our vision is to look at the options of integrating these animal shelters with our "HopeFull Future" rehabilitation program. We believe the proven therapeutic value of animals, particularly dogs, can be a powerful gateway for Ukrainian service personnel, medics, and their families to rebuild their shattered lives, address mental health challenges, and rediscover their potential as contributors to a thriving post-war Ukraine. The Kherson/Mykolaiv shelter is already pioneering this approach by building a small accommodation facility for injured service personnel to engage directly with animals, fostering healing and potential adoption.
LVIV SHELTER
This shelter 15kms west of Lviv houses over 400 dogs – in a dilapidated and very poorly equipped building. With most of the dogs living outside in home made kennels, the conditions are far from ideal. Just keeping the dogs fed adequately is our highest priority.
NIKOPOL SHELTER
On the banks of the now empty Kakhovka reservoir (now empty following the Russians destroying the dam in 2023), this shelter is particularly vulnerable as it can be seen from the Russian lines. Almost every day the area is under artillery attack and some of the poor dogs are extremely traumatised. Again, housing nearly 400 dogs, this old cement factory is poor equipped but wonderfully staffed by a very small, dedicated team. We need to do all we can do to support them.
MYKOLAIV / KHERSON SHELTER
Run by a terrific woman with a huge heart and a great love of cats & dogs – this smaller shelter (70 dogs & 40 cats) is much better equipped with some recently refurbished buildings and improved facilities with a small medical room and new accommodation for the animals. It also provides a specific building that should be completed at end Summer 2025 that will provide accommodation for up to 12 injured service personnel & their families who are keen to improve their mental health by working alongside the animal with a view to adopt a dog or cat subsequently. A hugely exciting project which we will keep you updated on, over the Summer.
