Charities in Ukraine vaccinate nearly 14,000 animals against rabies
There are believed to be around 140,000 stray animals in Ukraine.
As World Rabies Day approaches, a rabies vaccination programme in Ukraine is celebrating vaccinating almost 14,000 cats and dogs.
Since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022, rabies cases have increased in Ukraine as pets have become displaced. As many as 140,000 animals are believed to be homeless in Ukraine.
Last year saw rabies cases in animals confirmed in around 1,000 settlements across the country, and the number of cases has been increasing. While the first quarter of 2023 saw 190 rabies outbreaks among animals, the first quarter of 2024 saw 369.
The ongoing war has made efforts to tackle the spread of rabies more difficult, with outbreaks occurring in frontline regions as well as elsewhere in the country.
However, charities are managing to successfully vaccinate animals. Working with international donors and partners, the U-Hearts Foundation and the Save Pets of Ukraine initiative have managed to vaccinate 13,994 cats and dogs.
Yuriy Tokarsky, CEO of U-Hearts Foundation, said: “Throughout our work, we’ve been able to collaborate with several organisations, like Worldwide Vets from the UK, who vaccinate and sterilise animals in frontline zones, and Clean Future Fund from the US, whose vets care for animals in the Chernobyl zone.
“This has given us invaluable experience and the understanding that through joint efforts even small steps can make a big impact on important issues like preventing the spread of rabies in Ukraine. It means so much to us!”
Image © U-Hearts Foundation
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
