The Activist Diaries

No matter where we live. I know this is not just problem of our country. This is a problem of humanity as a whole. And this problem is cruelty. Mankind must think about it.

Ukraine – the country in the heart of the Europe. It is really charming. In its pristine beauty. We have a steppe, magical forests. And the mountain: rocky Crimean Mountains and Forest Carpathians. Many rivers, lakes, ponds… And sometimes it seems that everything was fine, until people are not spoiled everything. Because I live in a country where there are “dead zones” and ruthlessly polluted sea. Where wealth of Carpathian Mountains forests are destroyed. I live in the city - heavy industry giant. Scary plants located in the heart of the city. They reward people deadly cocktail of emissions. Every day. Nobody cares about the environment. All care only about money. So no wonder that noone here does not matter about homeless animals. But that’s what worries me. I am used to this terrible air, I inhale it from childhood. But I never get used to innocently offended animals! It is hopeless. And it is so sad.

I have a pets: the incomparable spaniel Barry and the funny bunny Bogdan. But there are so many homeless, lonely and unhappy in his loneliness creatures. Hundreds of stray dogs wander through our streets. And here is one such poor dog dwells far from our house, next to the school, last winter. Soon she gave birth to five puppies. I first met the little fluffy creatures, when walking with my Barry. They were plump and happy to know this world. Since then, I wore them food every day. There were other caring people. Someone even built something like a booth. Children from the school came to play with them. Soon the four of them were taken - in villages and private homes. So there were only two – dog-mother and her daughter – Baghira. Winter has come to an end. Dog grew, and appeared those, who were annoyed by the presence of dogs near the school. The booth was moved to the a vacant lot in the yards. As it turned out, that in these yards lived real nonhumans. Several times they destroyed the booth and even set fire to it. But dogs have become accustomed to this place. Baghira grew here all spring. Soon, she was already the same size as her mother. And they were so similar, so happy together. When we go out for a walk, they ran to meet us…

And then… Shots began to be heard at night. Someone began to consistently kill animals. Calls to the police and writing applications were unsuccessful. And once children in another yard found mutilated puppies of another dog. Someone tied them to trees and shot at them as if it was a target. It was awful! Every day we are more feared by Baghira and her mother. And once it happened. On the morning walk I saw her - she came to meet us. But its side and rear paws were in the wounds. These were shot with shotgun. In our city there are several organizations and even newly created shelter. And we managed to hold it there. But only for big money. We also paid for all veterinary services. We spent all the money collected on summer vacation. But it did not matter. The main thing that we have rescued Baghira. Eventually we arrived at the shelter and her mother.

So I met with shelters residents. Actually shelter - a fenced area. There are open-air cages with animals. In each cage live from ten to fifty animals. There live not only healthy dogs, but mostly maimed animals. Without eye, without the paw… It made people. And these creatures still living, they happy that they have a common home. Here they have food and they feel that they are cared for. I was impressed. Amazing creatures. So much heat in them. Blind dog came to me. Two black holes instead of eyes. He jumped on me, but could not reach. Tears were like mist before the eyes, when I played with him. It was so cute. Despite all the animals look happy. Because eventually they were lucky to be saved. From cruelty. They were not poisoned, not shot. Here they are safe. And Baghira and her mother still live there… Every resident of the shelter has experienced its own tragedy. But they are open to people. They were offended, but they still believe. They are waiting for the owner. And if you open for them your heart, they will give you their. Forever. This is an incredible feeling – to be there, among them. And there are people who bullied over these creatures. They commit relentlessly. People forget that they are responsible for those they tamed… Hundreds of homeless dogs wandering the streets. No one involved in this issue. Organizations are inefficient. Drive a senseless competition. Meanwhile, animals continue to suffer from undue cruelty.

Our country is preparing for Euro-2012. Do you know how the problem of stray animals solves? With poison. Cats also suffer. There is shooting also. Nobody wants to think about creating real shelters, for

I do not know what to do. Yes. I can arrange to shelter a dozen animals. Maybe 20-30. But it is so little! All that remains - hope that everyone will do the same. If everyone wanted to help… When I think that everything can be good, that people could be kinder, I want to be happy. I want fall in love in this beautiful world.

Olga Philipova. Ukraine. Zaporozhye.

P.S. Here you can see the story, made by journalists of one of the central TV-channels – story about dogs in this shelter. In 01:18 minutes you can see Baghira and her mother.

http://vikna.stb.ua/ru/news/2011/10/5/77061/

Posted 00:10am GMT on Sunday, April 1st, 2012