Animal shelter in Odesa Oblast comes under Russian attack: fire extinguished

An animal shelter in Odesa Oblast has come under Russian attack for the second time in two weeks – this time, the Liubov i Laska (Love and Tenderness) shelter was targeted. A fire broke out on the premises but has since been extinguished.

Source: Oleh Kiper, Head of Odesa Oblast Military Administration; State Emergency Service in Odesa Oblast on Facebook

Details: One dog was killed in the fire and several others were injured.

The fire initially broke out in a car park, where 14 cars caught fire. Another 13 vehicles were damaged by the fire.

The fire later spread to the animal shelter, damaging enclosures and a fence, but firefighters prevented the building from being destroyed.

Despite the firefighters' efforts, one dog was killed and four others were injured. The fire has now been extinguished, and efforts to deal with its aftermath are ongoing.

Shelter head Liubov Kudriavtseva reported that six enclosures had burned down and windows in outbuildings were shattered by the blast wave. Animal welfare organisation UAnimals said that the shelter is caring for 153 dogs, eight of them puppies.

"Shelter head Liubov Kudriavtseva says that the dogs have experienced severe stress and are now frightened [...] We are currently delivering 400 kg of food to the shelter, but it is critically important to rebuild the enclosures so that the animals have somewhere to spend the winter," the organisation added.

The shelter is calling on people to help with the rebuilding effort. It needs materials, skilled workers, animal food and financial assistance.

Kudriavtseva said: "Please help Liubov i Laska withstand this and recover. If you can help physically, please contact us. If you can help financially, we will be immensely grateful for every hryvnia [...]

Do not let our furry friends be left without a safe home. We need you very much!"

Background:

• On 29 September, the Liubliatchi Sertsia (Loving Hearts) animal shelter was hit by a Russian attack. Russian forces struck one of the shelter's buildings, causing a large-scale fire covering more than 400 sq m. The fire also reached the premises where the shelter's head, Olha Shymilina, lived. Three dogs and 10 cats were killed in the fire. The shelter also lost all its food supplies.
• On 7 October, the Sadyba Niushanik bird sanctuary in Kyiv Oblast came under attack. A total of 190 birds were killed and all the equipment was destroyed. The sanctuary also lost medical supplies and bird rehabilitation equipment, while almost one tonne of food for the birds was destroyed.

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