In the time since her family evacuated, Alpha had likely grown used to cowering from the sounds of shelling and gunfire in her once-bustling, peaceful neighborhood. That is, until a PETA-supported team risked everything to get her safely out of the warzone.

The Only Constant in Alpha’s Life Was Fear

As the Animal Rescue Kharkiv team arrived outside her fenced-in enclosure, Alpha took a careful step towards them before becoming startled. She paused momentarily, unsure what to do, and then darted back through a propped-open door into her dark, empty home.

After some stumbling in the blackness, ARK managed to leash Alpha, and the team gently guided her outside. Although she didn’t know it yet, Alpha was finally safe.

Alpha’s Surprise: The Ultimate Happy Ending

After hours of driving, ARK’s rescue van slowed to a stop. As the backdoors opened and Alpha was greeted with the buzz of traffic, she lowered herself inside her kennel, still looking nervous—until she spotted a familiar face walking towards her!

Alpha’s cautious face instantly softened, and her tail started to wag. Alpha’s guardian was here, overjoyed to see her beloved dog again!

Many evacuees must flee their homes on a moment’s notice, and taking companion animals with them isn’t always possible. That’s why the Animal Rescue Kharkiv team does everything possible to find the guardians of the animals they rescue. They have successfully reunited more than 60% of evacuated dogs with their families.

How You Can Help Animals Like Alpha in Ukraine

When you give to PETA’s Global Compassion Fund, your gift helps PETA entities and partners create positive, sustainable changes in corners of the Earth where animals desperately need assistance and may have no other hope. Your generous support has already helped save more than 26,000 animals from hunger, terror, and certain death since the war in Ukraine began.