In 2014, Ukraine was home to some 750,000 dogs and 5.5 million cats. Many of these animals were left behind by their owners as they were in a desperate rush to flee war. In this terrible war, vital farm animals and beloved pets have become Russian targets. Ukraine's government has accused the Russian military of intentionally striking dog shelters and horse stables. By killing animals, the invaders seem to be responding to all the pictures of Ukrainians with pets in bomb shelters and evacuation convoys.

​

Animal Welfare groups like UAnimals and other activists have stayed amid the chaos of war to rescue stray animals and keep shelters running. That devotion came with a cost: An animal shelter in Kharkiv was bombed, and three animal rescue volunteers were killed while attempting to deliver dog food. Additionally, the Feldman Ecopark zoo in Kharkiv was damaged amid fighting and there are reports that animals at Park XII Months zoo, north of Kyiv, have begun to die from starvation and cold.