In Borodianka, Ukraine, Boris Pomroy, Executive Vice President of Fundraising and Marketing for Greater Good Charities, met Natalia, a brave volunteer saving orphaned pets despite her own losses.
Borodianka, a once-thriving Ukrainian town of nearly 12,500 people, is located 30 miles from Kyiv, the capital.
During the initial invasion of Ukraine, Borodianka was in the path of Russian advances on Kyiv. For weeks, the town was bombarded with heavy airstrikes and artillery shelling. Apartment buildings were destroyed, as were bridges and other civilian infrastructure. Over half of the population fled, and those who were unable to move were blockaded and left to starve.
Although the Russian troops have retreated, the aftermath of the invasion remains. Piles of rubble lay where apartment buildings were, many shops remain abandoned, and formerly loved pets roam the streets as orphans of war, desperate for food and shelter.
In this formerly flourishing town, Greater Good Charities and our partner, United for Animals, are working with local volunteers to ensure pets affected by the conflict are warm, safe, and fed.
Natalia is one of those brave volunteers. Unable to flee Borodianka as the Russians approached, Natalia and her family witnessed the horrors of war firsthand. They spent days hiding in a basement before one fateful night, a direct hit destroyed their home.
“Andrii, our neighbor, died,” explains Natalia. “A lot of people went to a nearby building, but that was destroyed as well. They were reported missing, but we have never seen them again. At night, I hear the planes approaching in my sleep.”
Always an animal lover, Natalia was keen to find something positive to do amongst the pain and suffering. She started feeding and supporting the orphaned pets left behind when their owners fled.
“It was very hard to start from the beginning because everything is expensive,” says Natalia. “But, I still asked people for help; help with delivering food and feeding the animals which were here.”
United for Animals was one of the groups to answer Natalia’s plea, providing food and building local shelters so animals would be safe and warm. Together, they have started an adoption program so pets can feel the love and security of a family once again.
Since the start of the conflict, Greater Good Charities, alongside partners such as United for Animals, has delivered over 31.6 million meals to pets in need throughout Ukraine. In addition, our shelter winterization program ensured that dogs in Borodianka and more than 70 other locations have warmth and safety through the frigid winter.
Natalia often ponders why she stayed behind. “I don’t know, but maybe God saved me so I can continue feeding and taking care of the animals because they would not survive without us.”
Natalia’s story is a testament to the power of compassion and community in the face of devastation. This story of resilience is one of many that illuminates a path toward healing and recovery.
You can be a part of this remarkable story and many more left to tell.
Your contribution to Greater Good Charities provides food, shelter, and medical care to animals affected by the conflict in Ukraine. Together, we can ensure that no animal is left behind.