Preparing for a Harsh Winter: Our Volunteers in Kherson Refuse to Leave the Animals Behind

To everyone around the world who keeps showing up for Ukrainians, thank you. Your kindness makes our work in Kherson possible.

Winter is approaching Kherson, and this year, the coming cold brings even more uncertainty and danger than usual. After repeated Russian attacks on the city’s energy infrastructure, local authorities have warned residents to prepare for a potentially devastating winter, with prolonged electricity outages and severe heating shortages.

For thousands of people who remain in Kherson, surviving the winter will be an enormous challenge. But there are other vulnerable lives at risk, too — the abandoned cats and dogs who depend on local volunteers for food, shelter, and survival. Our volunteers have made a difficult but compassionate decision: they are staying in Kherson because they cannot bear to leave the animals behind.

The Danger Doesn’t End After an Attack

Life in Kherson has become increasingly dangerous. Russian drones and artillery continue to threaten residential neighborhoods and critical infrastructure.

One of the most disturbing aspects of these attacks is the danger faced by people trying to help. Russian forces have repeatedly targeted ambulances and emergency responders, including through so-called “double-tap” attacks, in which another strike follows the initial attack as rescuers arrive.

This makes repairing damaged infrastructure, delivering supplies, and simply moving around the city extraordinarily dangerous. Despite these risks, our volunteers continue caring for the animals who have nowhere else to go.

Getting Ready for Winter, One Step at a Time

Throughout the year, we have supported our volunteers in Kherson with regular monthly deliveries of wet and dry pet food. These supplies help feed dozens of cats and dogs, many of whom have been abandoned or left homeless because of the war. But winter requires more than food. We have started purchasing additional supplies to help the animals survive the freezing temperatures and possible prolonged power outages.

Our latest preparations include:

• Indoor cat houses to provide cozy, sheltered sleeping spaces and help keep cats warm during cold nights.
• Thermal blankets to help keep animals warm when heating is unavailable.
• Flashlights to help volunteers care for animals during electricity outages.
• Continued monthly deliveries of wet and dry food to ensure the animals have something to eat, even as conditions become more difficult.

These are simple necessities, but in a city under constant attack, they can make an enormous difference.

One of our dedicated volunteers, Oleksandr, has been working hard to prepare for the colder months.

He has prepared a room in the basement of their building where the cats can stay during cold autumn and winter days and nights. The indoor cat houses and thermal blankets will provide additional warmth and comfort, especially if the heating goes out. Some cats are friendly and trusting. Others are still cautious. But they all share something in common: they depend on the kindness of people who refuse to abandon them.

With electricity and heating increasingly uncertain, having access to a basement shelter could be especially important this winter. We cannot stop the attacks on Kherson. We cannot guarantee that the city will have reliable electricity or heating this winter. But together, we can help ensure that these animals are not left hungry, cold, and alone.

Thank You for Standing With Kherson’s Animals

To everyone who has supported our animal rescue and feeding efforts in Kherson, thank you. Your generosity helps us continue delivering food and preparing for the challenges ahead.

And to Oleksandr, Natalia, Tetiana and our other volunteers, who continue caring for animals despite the danger: we are deeply grateful for your courage, compassion, and dedication.

Thank you for helping us bring a little warmth and kindness to Kherson.