Save Pets of Ukraine: The Team Driving PAWsitive Change

“At first, our team focused on crisis response—providing food, medicine, and pet supplies, and organizing evacuations. But over time, we realized that temporary aid wasn’t enough. We needed to change the system so that animals wouldn’t just receive short-term help but a real chance at a better life,” says Valeriia Volyk, communications lead for Save Pets of Ukraine at Kormotech.

Over the past three years, SPOU has grown into a nationwide initiative. Looking ahead, the team has ambitious plans, including expanding its shelter patronage program, promoting pet adoption, and reducing the number of homeless animals through sterilization programs. The goal is to transform shelters from places of long-term stay into temporary homes where animals can transition to a new life.

Since its launch, Save Pets of Ukraine has:

• Provided 1,800 tons of pet food to shelters and volunteers;
• Helped over 2,000 animals find new homes;
• Supported five humanitarian missions in frontline regions;
• Conducted 21,000 vaccinations to protect animals from disease;
• Completed a nationwide shelter census to assess and distribute resources efficiently.

Among the many challenges faced by the team, one of the most significant and heartbreaking experiences was the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam.

“When the dam was blown up, Oleg and I were at the warehouse, working on other tasks. But the moment we heard about the disaster, the team reacted instantly. Within an hour, we were coordinating aid deliveries and assessing urgent needs. There was no time to think—only to act,” recalls Anastasiia Ivanichenko, veterinary project coordinator at Save Pets of Ukraine.

In response, the team sent 1,500 kg of pet food, cages, carriers, snacks for dogs and cats, leashes, and emergency evacuation kits.

“We also work to document the stories of animals that have survived the full-scale war. We’ve published two books about volunteers and pet rescue efforts, and every photo and story in them is part of our journey.”

Save Pets of Ukraine is driven by 12 passionate professionals, each bringing a unique skill set and expertise to the initiative.

- Ruslan Hrytsan – CEO of U-Hearts Ukraine, the legal entity representing SPOU. He leads the project and oversees its operations.

- Yurii Tokarskyi – CEO of U-Hearts Foundation, the legal entity representing SPOU internationally. Yurii manages international partnerships, securing aid and fostering new collaborations.

- Lera Volyk – Leads communications and partnerships, leveraging her background in television to raise awareness and drive action for pet welfare.

- Ira Lozova – Coordinates social projects, turning chaos into structured assistance for over nine years. Her mission is to implement sustainable changes that have a long-term impact.
Katya Fokina – Shelter patronage program curator and adoption manager. She helps shelters become more efficient and works with the Look 4 Paws platform (by Club 4 Paws, a Kormotech brand) to find loving homes for pets.

- Anastasiia Ivanichenko – Veterinary project manager. Her veterinary expertise has been invaluable in launching vaccination campaigns and overseeing the pilot testing of Ukraine’s Unified State Register of Pets.

- Anzhela Babii – Oversees international communications. If there’s someone in the world willing to help Ukrainian animals, she finds them.

- Oleh Kamanin – Logistics manager, ensuring that food and supplies reach animals in even the most inaccessible and high-risk locations.

- Anzhelika Meshcheriakova – Application administrator, handling dozens of requests daily and coordinating efforts across different regions.

- Ilona Luchynina – International logistics coordinator, ensuring that foreign aid reaches Ukraine seamlessly with meticulous planning.

Each team member has their own reason for being part of SPOU, but they are united by a common goal: to create a better world for animals.

Lera found a job she could be proud of. Ira believes that helping animals isn’t about numbers—it’s about improving their quality of life. Anastasiia is inspired by the opportunity to be part of a global shift in pet welfare culture—going beyond basic needs to create lasting impact.
Oleh is motivated by seeing the direct results of their work, which keeps him pushing forward.
Ruslan is inspired by the resilience and empathy of Ukrainians, even in the hardest times.
Anzhelika simply says, “I want to help. And I know that here, my help truly matters.”
Yurii Tokarskyi finds motivation in discovering people worldwide who care about Ukrainian pets, no matter how far from Ukraine they may be.
Anastasiia Ivanichenko sums it up: “When things get tough, we don’t just think about the challenges—we remember the thousands of animals we’ve already helped and those who still need us.”

Transforming public attitudes toward animals is a long-term battle. Years of neglect and misunderstanding won’t disappear overnight. One of the biggest struggles is preventing emotional burnout—when you try to help everyone, resources run out quickly.

The war has further complicated logistics, making aid deliveries extremely difficult. Frontline positions change rapidly, meaning food shipments sometimes can’t reach their destinations before the area is under attack or occupied. That’s why frontline regions remain a top priority for SPOU.

Save Pets of Ukraine is More Than Just a Social Project.

"Our dream is for every cat and dog in Ukraine to have a home. Want to be part of the change? Adopt a shelter pet. Help to sterilize a stray animal. Volunteer at a shelter. Donate. Spread the word. Together, we can do anything. Because every animal deserves a chance," says Valeriia Volyk.

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