Stray Animal Care in Ukraine

Ukraine had a significant stray animal population long before the full-scale war began. Yet it remained largely invisible and ignored. Shelters routinely operated beyond capacity, and a weak culture of responsible pet ownership opened the doors for pet abandonment, increasing the number of stray animals, both dogs and cats.

With the outbreak of war in February 2022, the number of stray animals rose dramatically, as many people left, or were forced to leave, their pets behind whilst fleeing the country, or dogs and cats were lost in the chaos of displacement.

The increasing number of stray animals is creating serious challenges for communities, including the danger of dog attacks and the spread of zoonotic diseases. The number of rabies cases has increased. This added threat places further strain on a country already struggling to cope with the impacts of war.

The overall situation reveals the need for systematic dog and cat population management (DCPM) programmes across the country.

FOUR PAWS has been helping stray animals in Ukraine for more than a decade. The organisation started its first Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (CNVR) operations in 2012 with a local veterinary team and a mobile clinic. This work began as a response to the, at that time, legal mass culling of stray dogs before the UEFA European Championship in Kyiv.

Since then, FOUR PAWS has continued its efforts across the country, helping stray animals and working with over 100 municipalities to create animal-friendly and lasting solutions to protect them.

However, the ongoing war with Russia has severely disrupted sustainable activities, making it impossible to carry out dog population management (DPM) and CNVR programmes in areas near the front line, and long-term planning.

Although municipalities had previously invested in sustainable population management programmes, the war has significantly reduced available resources.

Before the full-scale invasion, Ukrainian municipalities set aside dedicated funds for DPM programmes with notable results: stray numbers declined noticeably, and communities began to shift attitudes towards animals in general. Today, that progress hangs in the balance.

While small allocations remain (estimated at less than half a percent of local expenditures in 2024–2025), they no longer cover operational costs or systematic sterilisation campaigns. Most animal welfare work now depends on international grants, NGOs, and volunteer networks rather than stable public funding.

As Ukraine continues to face the challenges of war and recovery, the need for dog and cat population management remains as urgent as ever. While many organisations were forced to scale back or leave, FOUR PAWS has stayed, supporting animals, communities, and local partners throughout the crisis. 

Lasting change will require sustained investment in mobile clinics, veterinary services, and municipal capacity-building. By continuing to work alongside local authorities and animal welfare stakeholders, we are laying the foundation for long-term, sustainable solutions that improve the lives of both animals and people.