As 2026 starts with no real sign of an end to the war in Ukraine, we’ve launched an urgent appeal to the global veterinary community to donate life‑saving medicines, equipment and funds to help veterinarians in the country.
Our Ukrainian colleagues and their teams are struggling to treat animals because members of the profession are being injured or killed on the battlefield, equipment is being diverted for human emergency care and animal shelters are overwhelmed. Millions of animals – livestock, companion animals and wildlife – have been abandoned or killed.
There’s also increasing concern about the rise in deadly diseases, including rabies, with cases of rabies reported in 2023 2.3 times higher than in 2022. (Source: UNN)
We’ve launched our appeal in partnership with the Ukrainian Veterinary Medical Foundation (UVMF) following a visit to Kyiv in 2025 by our Vice-President, Dr Mark Johnston. He was there with colleagues, including FECAVA Past President Dr Wolfgang Dohne, to attend the Ukrainian Small Animal Veterinary Association’s annual congress, to deliver the first batch of donated supplies and to learn first-hand about conditions on the ground.
You can support the campaign in two ways:
- Make a cash donation online – for the purchase of medications, equipment and other supplies.
- Bid in a silent auction of Ukrainian art – renowned Ukrainian artist Ann Khomchyk has donated her ‘Different Together’ collection of paintings to the campaign, with all proceeds used to support frontline Ukrainian veterinary teams.
Vets based in the UK can also donate veterinary medicines, equipment and supplies – including medications, portable ultrasound machines, anaesthetic machines, surgical tables, surgical instruments and consumables. Veterinary equipment manufacturer and distributor Burton’s Medical Equipment is supporting the campaign by acting as a collection point for donations.
You can find more information on how to donate or take part in the auction on our website or from Mark Johnston at vice-president@prosalusfoundation.org.
We’re also working with key stakeholders to ensure Ukrainian veterinarians – who currently do not receive pre-exposure rabies protection – can be vaccinated amid the rising incidence of this deadly disease.
Mark Johnston said: “The veterinary profession is a global family. After almost four years of war, our Ukrainian colleagues are exhausted and working in very difficult conditions to care for the millions of animals caught up in the conflict. And, with the incidence of rabies increasing, they risk their own safety every day.
“We’re committed to supporting veterinarians wherever the need is greatest so we’re asking vets around the world to stand with their Ukrainian colleagues – to show them they are not forgotten and to help support their vital work.
“It was great to deliver an initial donation of surgical equipment during my visit last year and I hope that, with the help of the global veterinary community, we’ll be able to provide much more vital support this year.”
Ambassador for the UVMF, Dr Vladlen Ushakov, said: “Despite the challenges and hardship we face, our commitment to caring for animals remains unwavering. We’re facing a critical shortage of medicines, equipment and essential resources so this appeal is of vital importance to us. Supplies donated will help us continue providing veterinary care to the animals of Ukraine – and they have never been more urgently needed more than they are today. “Ukrainian veterinary teams are deeply grateful to our global colleagues for their commitment and support.”
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