As the war in Ukraine unfolds, it isn’t just families who are fleeing in fear – their beloved pets are often going with them, or in the chaos, are tragically being left behind tied to the railings at bus stops and trains, as public transport are refusing animals due to over-crowding. Within days of the invasion, scenes of heartbreak have flooded in: terrified dogs wandering bombed-out streets, cats meowing at closed doors, and animals crammed into carriers as refugees waited at border crossings 💔

In response to the humanitarian crisis, the EU swiftly relaxed the usual animal movement regulations. Gone are the strict rules requiring rabies antibody blood tests and the mandatory four-month wait after vaccination. This emergency measure means that for the first time, dogs and cats can cross borders quickly and safely into the volunteers arms of waiting shelters across the EU – giving them a chance at rescue, rehoming, and survival.

But now, a new crisis has emerged…

The Microchip Shortage No One Saw Coming

To legally travel, even under relaxed rules, each animal still needs a microchip – a tiny yet essential piece of technology that ties their identity to their health records and ensures traceability. But within weeks, Ukraine and the countries on its borders – Poland, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia – have all run out. With thousands of animals being processed at breakneck speed, the demand has simply overwhelmed supply.

Shelters and frontline rescuers began calling out in desperation. Without microchips, they can’t move animals safely or legally. Dogs and cats are now stuck in limbo, waiting in temporary shelters, while volunteers scramble to find a solution.

Our Response: 700 Microchips, Sent Without Delay

As soon as we became aware of the shortage, we sprang into action. Within days, we have sourced and shipped from the UK to Ukraine, 700 microchips to aid in the mass evacuation effort. It is a small yet critical lifeline – each microchip representing one animal who can now escape danger, travel to safety, and start a new life.

The first batches were distributed to border shelters and rescue teams prioritizing the most vulnerable animals: injured strays, abandoned pets, and nursing mothers with litters. The relief on the ground was immediate. With every animal chipped, the chance of safe passage increased – and with it, hope.

Every Microchip Was a Life Made Visible

In a time when everything feels uncertain, a microchip becomes more than just a technical requirement. It is a symbol of identity, of recognition, and of rescue. It means that the dog trembling in a crate has a name and a record. That the cat clinging to its carrier has someone who cares. It means they are no longer invisible.

Thanks to our incredible supporters, we were able to act quickly. Your donations helped cover the costs of this urgent shipment and help fuel the largest animal rescue effort ever known.

One month into the horror of a war no one in Ukraine wanted, surrounded by tragedy, we have seen the very best of humanity rise up – in border towns, shelters, and small acts of compassion that help to change everything for animals with no voice of their own.

Thank you for standing with us and with them 💙 Together, we can give these dogs and cats a future 💛