Like thousands of Ukrainian citizens still living in the war-torn country, Kate Klymenko is exhausted and heartbroken - but she continues to remain positive for her motherland's future.
Kate voluntarily works as a veterinary assistant in a local rescue shelter in Uman, Cherkasy region, which is supported by animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS.
She spoke to The Mirror about the rising number of abandoned animals, and how difficult it is to work while Russian missiles rain down and families continue to fear for their lives.
Kate said: "Due to the war, there are so many abandoned dogs and cats in Ukraine now. A lot of infrastructure doesn't exist anymore and some shelters were destroyed.
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"A lot of owned dogs got lost and the number is slowly increasing.
"Before the war, we had dog population management programmes working in almost every city of Ukraine and now this work has had to be stopped for an unclear period of time.
"The people and also animals are suffering."
Four Paws reports that the number of refugees crossing the borders with their pets is gradually declining, but the amount of abandoned animals is increasing.
Kate said: "It is really hard to work in such circumstances when the sirens are loud and people are in constant stress for not only their lives, but for their relatives, loved ones and also pets.
"We believe in our victory, and it gives us strength to keep on doing the work that is needed for our motherland."
Four Paws charity team in Ukraine is cooperating with different animal shelters and local volunteer groups to help owners find their abandoned pets.
Local rescue centres are publishing photos of dogs on dedicated regional social media groups, hoping to reunite them with their lost families.
Kate added: "We understand that when the war is over, more help for animals will be needed. We hope that we can continue with all projects we started and do even more to help where we can."
Four Paws is dedicated to working with Ukraine through their established Animal Assisted Interventions programme, by increasing support to UPAW and aiding selected partner shelters directly, as well as new stray animal care initiatives.
You can support Four Paws ongoing charity work by donating to their page.
Do you have a story to tell? Contact nia.dalton@reachplc.com.
