Ukrainian postage stamps raise funds to rebuild animal shelter in war-torn Hostomel

Ukraine's national post, Ukrposhta, used the proceeds from the sale of the stamp with the deminer dog Patron to restore the animal enclosures of the Hostomel shelter, destroyed by Russian shelling, says Director General of Ukrposhta Ihor Smilianskyi.

What is the problem?

Founded in 2000 on the site of an abandoned cowshed, the shelter is home to more than 700 animals. Until 2021, the shelter was under the patronage of the Kyiv Society for the Protection of Animals, and now it functions as a legally independent organization, Hostomel Animal Shelter.

Hostilities near the shelter began from the very beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion. On February 24, a Russian landing force landed on the outskirts of Hostomel, and on the 25th, airborne assault units entered the city. 

The shelter was in the epicenter of shelling. More than 500 dogs and about 200 cats survived the hostilities and the Russian occupation.

What is the solution?

Now the shelter looks nothing like it did a few months ago when it was in the epicenter of an artillery battle: a painted and plastered building with new windows and a completely new roof. The shelter is being actively rebuilt and restored. Now Ukrposhta joined to restore the animal enclosures with the money raised from the sale of the Patron stamp.

How does it work?

"Thanks to your donations, when you bought stamps with Patron, the Ukrposhta and KSE fund was able to help provide enclosures for furry friends. Thank you all once again, and, of course, Patron!" said Smilianskyi.

Background

Patron the Dog is a Ukrainian bomb-sniffing dog, the mascot of the State Emergency Service. He gained great popularity during the full-scale Russian-Ukrainian war. According to the State Emergency Service, by March 19, Patron helped detect more than 90 explosive devices installed by Russian troops. Last year Patron the Dog became the director of the UAnimals communications department. He helps animals in Ukraine and collects donations for their rescue.

Last year Ukrposhta launched the country's first charity stamp, "Patron the Dog."

Rubryka also reported that in Hostomel, volunteers and animal defenders of the UAnimals movement rebuilt an animal shelter damaged by Russian shelling.