The Power of Volunteering in Izium: How Animal Volunteer Svitlana Lozovska Continues to Help Animals

Animals are our smaller brothers and sisters. We have become so accustomed to sharing our lives with them that it is hard even to imagine something bad happening to them.

The full-scale invasion has affected not only people but animals as well.

Many veterinary organizations are helping with this important mission. Among them is UAnimals, whose work focuses on the sterilization, vaccination, and treatment of both stray and domestic animals.

Volunteers also help animals under shelling in the city of Izium. Svitlana Lozovska, a resident of Izium, has established a temporary shelter for stray animals. She cares for these four-legged creatures on a volunteer basis. Immediately following the city's de-occupation, she took in all homeless cats and dogs; currently, however, she only accepts animals evacuated from active combat zones.One story that deserves special attention is that of a stray dog found near an abandoned house. He could not even stand up because he had a serious wound and an infection. After receiving treatment, he was placed in temporary foster care, where he was given the name Oscar. Now he is waiting for a new family.

Here is what animal welfare volunteer Svitlana Lozovska shared:

“He came to the guys on his own because he was exhausted from the pain and was looking for help from people. The infection had spread deep into his body. Oscar endured the treatment patiently, although there were a few complications along the way. Two days after the surgery, the dog managed to ‘remove’ all his stitches himself, so the veterinarian had to stitch the wound again. Oscar was also fitted with a protective collar to prevent him from injuring the surgical site once more.”

Later, Svitlana realized that she could not return him to the streets.

“One day, he brought me a little ball. I throw it, he grabs it and brings it back to me. So how could I leave such a clever dog homeless?” Svitlana asks rhetorically

Svitlana Lozovska runs a temporary shelter for dogs and cats. Several puppies and adult dogs are currently staying there.

Military personnel and volunteers evacuate animals from dangerous areas, including Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, and bring them to Izium. The animals can stay there temporarily. At the shelter, they are fed, given water, and provided with the care they need. After that, representatives of the charitable organization Animal Rescue Kharkiv collect them and transport them to their next destination.

“The guys evacuate animals from combat zones, but they cannot take them all the way to Kharkiv. They make arrangements with Animal Rescue Kharkiv and leave the animals with me. The team then comes and takes them further,” Svitlana explains.

In addition to providing temporary shelter, the animal welfare volunteer organizes sterilization procedures. She coordinates with organizations that help cover veterinary costs, prepares the premises, and manages the intake of animals. According to Svitlana, between 60 and 100 dogs and cats can pass through the shelter during a single sterilization mission.

Svitlana has no plans to leave Izium because she does not want to abandon the animals.

“If I leave, who will look after them?” the volunteer says.

Today, this courageous woman continues to help animals by organizing their evacuation and finding new homes for them. Some of the homeless four-legged companions who have passed through her shelter have already found loving families in European countries, including Germany.

“Owners send me photos of their pets, who are now well cared for and look happy and content. Among those who especially need a home today is young Oscar. After his injury, he can run on all four legs again, and he is waiting for his forever family,” the animal welfare volunteer says.

Our pets trust us, and they would never betray us. So please, trust them in return and do not abandon them to fend for themselves.

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