Keep a Stray’s Heart Beating in -25°C

Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love, warmth, and connection. But in war-torn Ukraine right now, thousands of stray dogs and cats are fighting for their lives in one of the harshest winters in over a decade. Temperatures have plunged to -25°C (-13°F) in many areas, with heavy snow, blackouts, and ice turning streets into deadly traps. Reports from rescuers and local volunteers paint a heart-breaking picture: strays freezing to death on sidewalks, too weak to move, or collapsing from starvation after scavenging frozen scraps.

For these animals, many of them former pets, abandoned, terrified, and completely dependent on human kindness, every missed meal or bowl of water can be fatal. Relentless power outages hamper the volunteers ability to heat food or melt ice for drinking, and the relentless cold saps what little energy they have left.

Our volunteer Inessa in Odesa shared this urgent message today:

“It’s still cold here… and we’re having problems with electricity and internet again.
We went out once more to feed the animals at the piers. The dogs are so hungry… We gave away our very last bag of dry food and cooked about 70 litres of porridge. They ate everything immediately.
We couldn’t even drive down there, it was too icy. We had to take wheelbarrows and go back and forth.
The situation at the summer houses (which are in the middle of nowhere) is heart-breaking as well. We managed to get about 30 kg of food, and all of it was given to the animals. The volunteers distributed it and it was all eaten instantly.
Next week, the severe temps are coming back.
Would your supporters be able to help buy some animal food?
Would your supporters help us with buying animal food? Everything is getting more expensive… even to buy oats to make porridge. The situation is desperate 💔
If you have any possibility to help, please help us.”
These words aren’t exaggeration; they’re a desperate plea from the front lines. In Odesa, volunteers are hauling food by wheelbarrow because roads are impassable. In remote summer houses and frontline zones, dogs eat instantly because they haven’t seen a full meal in days. And with temperatures set to drop even lower next week, the window to help is closing fast.

🎥 Watch our volunteers feed the last of their supplies… 👇

How You Can Make a Real Difference This Valentine’s Day

At K9 Rescue, we buy high-quality, balanced feed, direct from the manufacturers as affordably as possible. Right now:

  • £8 / $11 buys a 10kg bag – enough to sustain several strays for days in this freeze.
  • £5 / $7 helps cook large pots of porridge that feed 30+ dogs at once.

Every donation goes straight to food purchases – no overhead, no fluff. We’re a small, volunteer-run team relying entirely on supporters like you.

Even Crypto Microdonations Help
We accept crypto donations of any size – from tiny micro amounts (0.001 BTC or equivalent) to larger gifts. Every fraction counts when prices are rising and every bag matters.
Donate here: 
(£$ € or crypto – any coin, any amount welcome)
Valentine’s Day reminds us that love isn’t just words or chocolates; it’s action. It’s choosing to help the voiceless when they need it most. If you can spare even a small gift today, you’ll literally keep hearts beating and tails wagging through Ukraine’s coldest nights.
Thank you for being the warmth these dogs have no one else to turn to.
From all of us, and every stray you help, happy Valentine’s Day, and thank you for your love in action 🐾❄️❤️

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