CULTIVATING COMPASSION
Helping People, Helping Animals... ...continued from page 15 Fleeing with nothing beyond the clothes on their backs and their three cats, the women trekked for five days towards the Medyka bor - der crossing, praying they would survive another day. For both, leav- ing their three cats behind in Mariupol was absolutely out of the ques - tion. Alina and her mother endured brutal treatment from Russian soldiers at sixteen different checkpoints, including numerous strip searches. Even the three cats underwent multiple aggressive frisk searches by soldiers. Finally, on the dawn of the 28th of March, Alina, her mother, and their three cats, stepped onto the border of Medyka. Along with humanitarian groups, IFAW was there to welcome them. Alina and her family were quickly met with disaster responders from IFAW’s team who also checked the cats’ vitals, bringing them to the clinic for vaccinations and microchips. After the procedures, Alina and her mother were set up in the back of the service tent where they could grab food, and warm up. “It feels surreal just because of the contrast. This feels like a dream right now,” explains Alina as she speaks to IFAW volunteers in the tent. “I feel like I might wake up at any second and end up in the base - ment again. I knew there were rescue missions here focusing on the animals specifically, so I’m not surprised to find help. I’m just sur - prised to find this level of help — this quick a response — and this humane an attitude.” This spirit of stewardship during times of crisis is well summarized by Azzedine Downes, President and CEO of IFAW: “Human conflict is never confined to human society alone. Both animal and human con - ditions, as well as their fates, are deeply intertwined. We see this hold true day in and day out in Ukraine. Animals in conflict zones experi - ence the same distress as their human counterparts. The reduction of human suffering must be prioritized, though it is fundamental to also address the impact of such conflicts on animals. IFAW will be there to help. IFAW will be there to have an impact. And as is so often the case, people want us to help by giving help to their animals.” To learn more about IFAW, please visit www.ifaw.org. Cam MacQueen is the creator/manager of the “Cultivating Compassion” column. If you have an idea for an article, feel free to email Cam at ncm.advocacy@gmail.com.
Veterinarian Andrew Kushnir greets Femi the dog who is owned by Ukrainian refugee Sofiia. Photo: Benjamin Wiacek / © IFAW
Ukrainian refugees Alice (left) and Love (right) with their dogs Lucky and Bona Parte inside the IFAW animal service station. Photo: Dominica Mack / © IFAW
PATHWAYS—Summer 22—37
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