Daughter Enters War Zone to Save Animals After Father Is Killed by Air Raid
Andrea Powell
For the past three years, a Ukrainian man named Anatoly has been rescuing animals from the frontlines and bringing many to his home to personally care for them.
This heroic man risked his life daily to help animals in need and sadly was killed by an air raid that destroyed his home on October 27.
His daughter, Natalia, told the heartbreaking story to animal rescue organization, Animal Rescue Kharkiv (ARK), and asked for their help to care for his surviving animals.
Natalia shared that her dad survived the initial hit on his home but was paralyzed and needed immediate medical care. She searched everywhere for a first aid vehicle, but no one would enter the area due to heavy bombing.
She went on foot into the war zone and reached her father's home, which was nearly burned to the ground. Her dad did not survive but his favorite rescue dog, Zhuchok, was standing unharmed near the home.
Natalia pushed through her grief and searched the area for the surviving animals. Even though she evacuated the area a couple years ago to protect her child, she often returned to help her dad rescue animals.
She recalls, "The rest of the animals have begun to approach me, they recognized me, I immediately called my daughter to look for volunteers for evacuation."
ARK rescuer Maksym and Natalia headed back to her father's home where ambulances would not go the next day to rescue the animals. These animals meant a lot to her father, and she wanted to make sure they were out of danger.
"Dad loved animals very much, he said he would never leave them," shared Natalia. The kindhearted man took in countless cats and kittens that were abandoned and even cared for neighborhood cats.
ARK posted a video sharing the sad news and rescue mission with their followers. In the video you can hear Natalia telling the animals, "You've already been abandoned once, come here."
Just like her father, Natalia risked her life to save the animals her father cherished. She said, "I know how important they were for my dad, as well as for me."
All have been brought back to the rescue and some were brought to Patron Pet Center to help them find loving homes.
ARK shared that some of the cats have found homes, but Zhuchok was still looking for a home.
Anatoly is a hero and will never be forgotten, especially by the animals he rescued. There are countless more animals near the frontlines that need to be saved. Donate now to help evacuate and care for these innocent animals.
Watch the heart-wrenching rescue video below.
