non-US support +44 (0)161 531 8801
Dear ,
The crisis in Ukraine continues and the number of human and animal casualties unfortunately continues to rise.
Our goal is to provide ongoing support to these animals and shelters, especially the ones located near the frontline and affected by Russian attacks.
Please see that the map showing where we’ve delivered aid so far. Please note the map will be changed frequently.
Your donation has ensured that we continue to assist animals in Ukraine and our fellow Ukrainian animal shelters. From the beginning of the war and until January 2026:
• Distributed repeated grants to approx. 40 rescuers and shelters.
• Sent funds for food and veterinary aid for approximately 63,000 animals, especially around the battle zones.
• Delivered 70 tons of humanitarian aid, in particular food for the animals
• Sponsored sterilization campaigns in different regions across Ukraine;
• Repaired 2 shelters destroyed by bombs.
Yearly reports about our activity in Ukraine are available here.
The latest updates from the locals confirm that the front is currently spread on these 7 regions*: Kharkiv, Donbas, Sumy, Zaporizhia, Dnipro, Kherson and Luhansk.
Local rescuers confirmed that recently, the Russians’ tactics have changed. If before they used to try to take large cities by surprise, now they are surrounding them, constantly shelling, making life in the city impossible, then speeding the attack and capturing them. The evacuation missions became more dangerous and now, rescuers are trained by military to effectively use guns to shoot drones. Some of the rescue teams which actively save animals near the frontline invest into armoring their vans in order to make them “safer” – of course the improvised armor is not useful in case of a direct hit but helps in case of shrapnel.
(*These are the regions as per 10 December 2025, but things often change rapidly. In order to stay accurately informed, we recommend you to visit this link as often as you want which shows in real time how the frontline positions change. This is helpful to not fully count on the media which often manipulates, in both ways).
Knopa is a gentle caramel-coloured stray who was hit by a car and left by the roadside, unable to walk. A kind local reached out for help, and she was rushed to the vet by our ROLDA rescue team. An MRI revealed a serious spinal injury, and Knopa needed urgent surgery to survive. Today, she is recovering bravely, using her wheelchair and growing stronger each day. Knopa still needs ongoing care, and your support can help her heal and live a safe, loving life.
Meet Knopa
We will continue to focus on helping people who decided to stay in Ukraine, exposed to bullets and bombs, to help injured animals, to rescue abandoned or homeless animals and provide them food and shelter, often in their own basement, or in half-destroyed rooms, with no windows, electricity, current water, or heating.
I wish I could pass on great news and say that, across the border, peace has been restored in Ukraine.
But unhappily, I can’t. We are still committed to doing whatever we can to assist the Ukrainians in that war-torn country in their vital work with innocent animals – for as long as it takes.
In our country, we have hundreds of dogs and some cats living in our three shelters in Galati. We reach out into the community with free sterilizations, veterinary care, food, kennels… as well as continuing to campaign and educate (like distributing free coloring books especially in rural areas).
And we are working our way closer to the dream of our innovative super-shelter the PawzUp Center which will create a haven of happiness – while inspiring so many generations to respect animals and act differently towards them.
You were with us when we rescue dogs from Romania, when we decided to give a helping hand to animals in Ukraine, when we rescued our first dog from war. You are part of who we are and with us, even if far away, in any small or big accomplishment. I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve helped make possible so far. And I really hope you can continue with us on our amazing journey.
With respect and hope,
Dana & entire ROLDA team
