Since June 2024, K9 Rescue International has been proudly supporting ongoing sterilisation work in the crucial transportation hub of Izmail, Ukraine, standing alongside local volunteers and veterinary teams as they tackle animal overpopulation with humane, lasting solutions. Every campaign brings us closer to a brighter future for the dogs of the region, and our latest effort has delivered another powerful milestone: 58 female dogs sterilised

Of these, 14 were fearful dogs living in villages outside the city who had to be humanely caught. Because they lived beyond the city limits, they were not eligible for the municipal sterilisation programme. The other 44 were gentle dogs brought to the veterinary team by owners, local feeders and volunteers. Some were beloved family pets from low-income households, while others were community dogs lovingly cared for by people in their neighbourhoods.

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

The city’s municipal programme does vital work sterilising street dogs within Izmail. But to create lasting change, we must also stop unwanted litters before puppies ever reach the streets.

Many owned and yard dogs in the surrounding villages remain unsterilised simply because their families cannot afford the cost. Without an adequate shelter system, those puppies are often abandoned or brought into the city, adding to the population of homeless animals. K9 Rescue’s programme directly addresses this root cause. By helping families and local volunteers sterilise dogs in the villages, we prevent unwanted litters from being born in the first place and significantly reduce the number of puppies who might otherwise end up on Izmail’s streets.

Our work beautifully complements the municipal programme – together we are tackling both the dogs already living on the streets and the breeding that creates future street populations.

By spaying 58 female dogs, we estimate that at least 700 puppies will be prevented from being born into hardship in the first year alone, based on an average of six puppies per litter and two litters per year. That number compounds rapidly in the years that follow, as those puppies would otherwise have gone on to reproduce themselves.

Every single surgery breaks the endless cycle of abandoned puppies before it begins and prevents future suffering. Unplanned litters place enormous pressure on families and communities. Puppies may be abandoned or left to survive on the streets, facing hunger, disease and danger. By supporting sterilisation, especially in communities where resources are limited, we help ensure fewer animals ever have to face that hardship.

Our approach is rooted in prevention and partnership: working closely with local people, reaching dogs where they live, and supporting trusted veterinary teams to deliver safe, effective sterilisation.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the dedicated veterinary team, local volunteers, feeders and everyone who helped organise and bring dogs to the campaign. We are also deeply grateful to our supporters, whose generosity makes this life-changing work possible.

Since June 2024, we have been proud to stand alongside the people of Izmail in building a kinder, more humane future for animals. Every sterilisation is a step towards fewer unwanted puppies and less suffering – and together, we are making real, lasting progress.

Thank you for being part of this journey.

If you would like to help support future sterilization missions in frontline communities, your support can directly fund veterinary care, equipment, and lifesaving surgeries for animals who would otherwise be forgotten.

Together, we can continue stopping suffering before it begins. 🐾

👉 Donate here to help the next sterilization campaign: