We’re thrilled to share the incredible success of our most ambitious spay/neuter campaign to date: a 7-day sterilization project in Izmail, Ukraine, made possible with thanks to the generous support of the Petplan Charitable Trust.

Over the course of just one week, our team and the outstanding veterinary professionals from Affordable Sterilization worked tirelessly to sterilize 268 dogs, including 267 females and one very large male Alabai, whose sterilization was a requirement for his adoption.

Reaching the Most in Need

Our goal for this campaign was to reach both the owned and stray female dog populations contributing most heavily to overpopulation in the region. Targeting unsterilized female dogs of breeding age, the team reached:

• 🏡 215 domestic dogs from local low-income families

• 🌾 20 stray dogs from surrounding villages and the city outskirts

• 🐕 24 dogs living in and around a nearby military unit

• 🚛 8 dogs found at truck parking lots

• 🐶 1 male rescue dog as a pre-requisite to his pending adoption

When there were delays in animals arriving, often due to transport difficulties, our team didn’t pause. Instead, Marina from the vet team and volunteer Elena headed out themselves to remote areas and military bases to catch dogs, ensuring every sterilization slot was filled.

🎥 Watch the video highlights of this powerful week of compassion and action

Tireless Work and Unmatched Dedication

This campaign was as intense as it was impactful. The dedication was extraordinary – the veterinary team and support staff worked 12-hour days in challenging conditions, not only performing sterilizations, yet also providing urgent veterinary care. Several dogs received tumor removals or began treatment for TVT (transmissible venereal tumors). One stray dog with advanced TVT was taken in by Marina for recovery and, hopefully, adoption.

In addition to the dogs in our program, the veterinary team also sterilized dozens of military cats and other male dogs at no cost, driven purely by their compassion and commitment to the cause.

Behind the scenes, a dedicated group of volunteers transported animals, washed cages, and carried dogs for hours each day. From admin support to hands-on care, their contributions were vital, and we are endlessly grateful.

Preventing the Cycle of Suffering Before it Begins

So what’s the true impact of this campaign?

🐾 At least 3,200 puppies prevented from being born into suffering – in just the first year alone.
This figure is based on an average of six puppies per litter and two litters per year, for each sterilized female dog. Without access to sterilization, many of these puppies would have added to the growing stray population, facing starvation, disease, and an uncertain fate.

Made Possible by Petplan Charitable Trust

This life-changing project was made possible with heartfelt thanks to the generous grant from the Petplan Charitable Trust. Their support has enabled us to take real, proactive steps in addressing the root causes of stray overpopulation in war-affected areas of Ukraine.

On behalf of our team, our volunteers, and every single animal helped – thank you! 🙏

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