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Animals evacuated from Ukraine’s Kharkiv region
U-Hearts has been providing food and other supplies to support the shelters taking in the evacuated animals.
Volunteers risked their lives to move pets to safety.

Volunteer groups have helped evacuate hundreds of animals from the Kharkiv region of Ukraine following the launch of a Russian offensive on 10 May 2024.

The ongoing fighting in the region has made the areas around cities such as Vovchansk and villages such as Lypetske and Lukiantsi extremely dangerous for civilians and animals.

More than 12,000 people have been evacuated, and volunteers working for animal rescue organisations have been risking their lives to make sure that animals aren't left behind.

Pets that weren’t able to leave with their owners, and animals in shelters that were at risk from the fighting, have been taken to safer shelters in the Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kyiv, and Khmelnytskyi regions.

To help the shelters care for this influx of new arrivals, the U-Hearts Foundation has provided them with essential supplies. The not-for-profit organisation has delivered 3,810 kg of dog food, 496 kg of cat food, 50 blankets, and 342 doses of parasite treatment.

Yuriу Tokarski, CEO of U-Hearts, said: “We are sincerely grateful to all the organisations and volunteers who risk their lives to care for, rescue, and evacuate animals from dangerous places. These people are truly amazing!

“And, of course, thanks to those who support our organisation with donations so we can continue to provide aid to evacuated animals, supplying them with food, medicine, and other necessary items. Through this support we can maintain the chain of assistance to animals affected by the war.”

Donations can be made on the U-Hearts website.

Image © U-Hearts Foundation

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New guidelines published for wildlife disease surveillance

News Story 1
 A set of international guidelines for disease surveillance in wildlife has been updated for the first time since 2015.

Released by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the World Organisation for Animal Health, General Guidelines for Surveillance of Diseases, Pathogens and Toxic Agents in Free-ranging Wildlife is designed to help wildlife authorities and others working with wildlife carry out effective surveillance programmes.

The document, which cover areas including choosing appropriate strategies, safety and biosafety protocols, and ethical and legal considerations, can be read here.  

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Restricted zone extended after more bluetongue cases

After three new cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 were detected along the Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire border, the restricted zone has been extended.

The zone now includes Buckinghamshire and part of Berkshire, as well as Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, City of Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, East Sussex, Essex, Greater London, part of Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, part of Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, part of Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Suffolk, Surrey, and West Sussex.

Susceptible animals in the restricted zone should only be moved if it is essential. A specific licence is needed to move a susceptible animal from within the restricted zone to outside of the zone.

Bluetongue is a notifiable disease. Suspected cases must be reported on 03000 200 301 in England or 03003 038 268 in Wales. In Scotland, suspected cases should be reported to the local field services office. In Northern Ireland, suspected cases should be reported to the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or by contacting the local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.

A map of the areas where restrictions apply can be found here.