Homeward Trails Heads to Ukraine
virginir.com/10186824

FAIRFAX, Va. - Virginir -- Homeward Trails Animal Rescue, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that provides pet adoption in Virginia, Washington, D.C. and Maryland, today announced it's tackling its next big project – heading to Ukraine!

Following its months-long effort to help find homes for 4,000 Beagles released from the now-shuttered Envigo facility this summer, it is now taking on the daunting task of rescuing abandoned Ukraine cats and raising funds for much-needed resources as the winter sets in.

Longtime Homeward Trails volunteer Shana Aufenkamp is no stranger to this part of the world, having lived in nearby Russia for work off and on for almost a decade. She and Homeward Trails Executive Director Sue Bell traveled to Russia years ago to rescue cats Aufenkamp had cared for while living here. Aufenkamp traveled to Ukraine in May, volunteering with Breaking the Chains, an organization that provides evacuation and care for animal victims of war. What she saw there was incredibly sad and she knew she wanted to return to help more.

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Aufenkamp and Bell will depart on October 1 and return October 15.

"So many of the animals were suffering from burns and gunshot wounds or starvation," Aufenkamp explained. "Most were people's pets that were left behind when the chaos and trauma of war caused many to flee unexpectedly."

Aufenkamp and Bell will volunteer at a shelter to care for the animals, delivering food and supplies. They hope to return with 30 cats to be put up for adoption.

"When one of our volunteers has seen firsthand the tragedy that has unfolded for so many animals and we know we can help, we're going to step up," Bell said. "The thought of animals stuck in cages for months, suffering from starvation, wounds and freezing as winter nears is too much. We won't be able to help them all, but we can make some difference."

A free Zoom presentation with details regarding this project is being held on September 28, 7:00-8:30 p.m. ET. Join: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86547442738

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To donate to their efforts, visit www.homewardtrails.org or follow their journey on Facebook. All donations towards this effort will go 100% to the transport of the animals and for food and supplies that will be distributed.

SUPPORT TRANSPORTING KITTIES:
https://www.savingpetschallenge.org/story/Ukrai...

HELP SECURE FOOD FOR THE ANIMALS: https://www.savingpetschallenge.org/story/Ukrai...

About Homeward Trails
Homeward Trails Animal Rescue is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that provides pet adoption in Virginia, Washington, DC and Maryland. We find homes for dogs and cats rescued from low-income, rural animal shelters or whose owners can no longer care for them.