Stray animal shelter struck in Chernihiv as 101 pets find temporary homes

Residents of Chernihiv are scrambling to house displaced animals after Russian forces struck the Krok do Tvaryn veterinary center on October 28. The facility, which provides temporary shelter and sterilization services for stray cats and dogs, took direct fire. One dog died in the attack, and three cats and one additional dog sustained injuries.

Three women were also hurt in the explosion. A 59-year-old, a 40-year-old, and an 18-year-old woman were transported to the regional hospital. Ihor Danylenko, General Director of the Chernihiv Oblast Centre for Emergency Medical Care and Disaster Medicine, told Suspilne Chernihiv that the patients suffered blast injuries and shrapnel wounds of varying severity.

The physical damage to the building is extensive. Staff cleared glass and debris from the premises by the evening of the strike. They boarded up shattered windows with plywood. The operating theatre, administrative rooms, and cat houses all require repairs before the center can resume full operations.

Volunteers quickly stepped in to house the displaced pets. By the end of the day, 101 animals were taken in for temporary fostering. Severely ill and elderly pets remain at the center for now. The organization stated that people interested in caring for those specific animals can reach out in a few days.

The center addressed potential challenges in its foster program. "We are in touch and ready to take the animals back if things don't work out with someone! We are grateful to everyone who responded, but we know that sometimes emotions cause us to overestimate our strength," the team wrote. They asked for feedback and responsible treatment from new caretakers.

This is not the first animal facility targeted this month. In early October, a Russian strike hit the Sadyba Niushanik bird sanctuary in Kyiv Oblast. That attack killed approximately 190 birds. The sanctuary is known for rescuing dozens of orphaned storks annually.

Krok do Tvaryn has launched a fundraiser to cover the costs of restoring its damaged premises. The Chernihiv City Council and the animal welfare organization UAnimals provided initial details on the incident.