Solutions from Ukraine: UAnimals’ Store of Unnecessary Goods raises almost $7,000 for aiding animals in one month

UAnimals launched a virtual store on Black Friday, giving people the opportunity to make impulse purchases. Named "I Really Wanted It," this store offers virtual goods that individuals pique their initial interest in but ultimately never end up using. In just one month, UAnimals' Store of Unnecessary Goods has raised nearly $7,000 to support animal causes.

Rubryka inquired about this initiative from the organization.

What is the problem?

Many people frequently make impulsive purchases that they later realize are unnecessary. Meanwhile, there is a constant need for aid and support for homeless animals, yet their care often lacks adequate funding.

What is the solution?

UAnimals have decided to turn impulse purchases into a chance to make a positive impact. Last November, this animal rescue and environmental organization launched an online store called "I Really Wanted It." The items available for "purchase" are all for a good cause, with the proceeds going towards food, medicine, and other necessities for stray animals.

Rubryka inquired with UAnimals about the progress made by the "I Really Wanted It" initiative within a month.

How does it work?

^{UAnimals donated 100 kilograms of food to support the "Feed and Treatment for Military Animals" project, benefiting 9 dogs and 6 cats under the care of defender Yaroslav in the Donetsk region. The photo is from the organization's archive}

The idea to create the Store of Unnecessary Goods arose at UAnimals on the eve of Black Friday. During this period, people tend to buy more things, even if they will not need them after a certain period of time.

"We decided to show how people can convert their desire for impulsive and often unnecessary purchases into useful things. When creating the initiative, it was important for us to make sure that everyone recognized themselves and, through this recognition and self-irony, bought something from our store," Kseniia Shepelenko, PR manager of the animal and environmental rescue organization UAnimals, says.

The selection at the "I Really Wanted It" store consists of items that people typically purchase but do not use. These include online courses, dumbbells, workout equipment for home use, a notepad with a built-in mousepad, a blender, a water bottle, anti-stress coloring books, and more. The profits from these purchases will support animal rescue efforts.

Kseniia Shepelenko says that each "good" in the store has a real equivalent of something vital for an animal. For example:

• a glider worth 60 hryvnias is the price of a bale of straw for heating a cow or goat;
• a board game for 170 hryvnias is the chipping of two homeless animals;
• and by purchasing a gym membership for 500 hryvnias, a person will pay for one doghouse.

Over the New Year holiday season, the store's website saw the addition of new products such as a snow globe, a gnome, gift socks, and electronic candles. Moving forward, the company aims to update its selection further and enhance its features in order to not only capture people's attention, but also convey the message that even virtual purchases can make a difference in saving lives.

Does it really work?

^{UAnimals systematically helps animal shelters. The photo shows part of the food donated to the "City of Dogs" shelter in Mykolaiv. Photo from the organization's archive}

"The idea definitely paid off. Immediately after the launch of the Store, we observed a great response among the audience, the spread of the news on information platforms, and instant sales of our "things": on the first day, people bought 871 "goods" for over 120 thousand hryvnias. Later, this result increased threefold, although with less dynamics," UAnimals notes.

As of January 7, 2025, people bought 2,368 things for 297 thousand hryvnias.

The top five most popular "goods" are as follows:

• "Another cool pen" — 417 purchases.
• "Dumbbells and sports elastic bands for home workouts" — 355 purchases.
• "Notepad planner" — 339 purchases.
• "Online training course on a very interesting topic" — 241 purchases.
• "Toy for a pet" — 216 ​​purchases.

Kseniia Shepelenko reports that the UAnimals team follows the overall trend and frequently makes purchases from the store as well.

Up until now, the store has not used any of the money it has made, as it only opened recently.

"As soon as we have a sufficient number of purchased "goods" and a corresponding number of requests from shelters, volunteers or organizations, we will start financing them," Kseniia Shepelenko comments.

The activist explains what the funds already raised will be enough for:

• 241 "Online training courses on a very interesting topic" will help feed 241 dogs from shelters for 17 days.
• 147 such anti-stress coloring books will pay for 441 bundles of firewood for animals in shelters.
• And the purchased toys will help vaccinate 216 dogs against a number of dangerous diseases.

"Like our other projects, this store is always an opportunity to draw attention to animal rescue and their needs. That's why we are very happy when our initiatives find a response from people, because it is not only a fundraising tool, but also a way to involve a new audience in the animal protection movement and bring humane values ​​to people," Kseniia Shepelenko says.

Even more useful solutions!

How can you join in supporting UAnimals, besides purchasing goods in the shop?

UAnimals offers various ways to help. On the organization's website, in the "Support" section, people can choose a convenient way:

• donate to a general account,
• donate money to a target collection,
• register for a monthly subscription to the Animal Rescue Club,
• join the Volunteer Community.

UAnimals not only coordinates the removal of domestic, wild, and farm animals from warfare and frontline regions, but also transports a wide range of species, including cats, dogs, tigers, lions, camels, horses, cows, raccoons, wolves, donkeys, porcupines, lemurs, and sheep from hazardous areas. If you wish to be a part of this rescue operation, you can purchase a virtual ticket through UAnimals. The cost of the ticket will be added to the collection fund, and you will receive confirmation of your participation. This way, you can contribute to saving these animals without having to personally venture into hazardous areas.

The ticket costs 100 UAH, one can buy it here.

For reference:

As mentioned by Rubryka earlier, UAnimals launched a store on Black Friday called "I Really Wanted It," where shoppers can purchase virtual items that people initially desire but ultimately never use, with the intention of supporting social initiatives.

In addition, the specialized center in Kyiv has conducted over 1,700 canine therapy sessions during its one year of operation.