As the rescue missions continue, meet some of the brave Ukrainians who have risked their lives to save animals.

Seizing the Last Chance to Save Cats From Kyiv, Ukraine

When local activist Dara heard that a bridge in Kyiv was going to be destroyed, she quickly took action, removing 50 cats from a local animal shelter and escaping with them to Lviv. Hours later, the bridge was bombed. She used the last chance she had to evacuate the cats.

Other local activists cared for these animals until PETA Germany arrived. It took the rescue team four long trips to deliver them to safety. They crossed more than 420 miles. Now all 50 cats are free from danger.

This elderly cat is called Snezhok, which means “snowball.” He was exhausted after the long and frightening journey, but he has quickly recovered and is now resting soundly.

And this is Dymka (meaning “haze”). When the PETA Germany team rescued her, she was initially struggling to breathe, so the rescuer kept Dymka on her lap and gave her all the TLC she needed during the trip. She received immediate veterinary care upon arrival and is feeling much better.

Escaping From War in a Vegetable Box

We admire the bravery of activists from Korosten—a city in northern Ukraine that has been under heavy attack for weeks—who risked their lives to deliver cats to safety. Between shelling and bombings, four volunteers managed to take 20 cats from a local animal shelter out of the city. They put the cats in vegetable boxes and homemade wooden crates secured with ropes and wires and took them out of the war zone.

The PETA Germany team met them at the border, and now the cats are safe in Prague, where they’ll soon find permanent homes.

Young Couple Rescues Dogs From War-Torn Kyiv

A young couple rescued some of these dogs from Kyiv. It was a dangerous journey, but luckily, all these animals and their brave rescuers are safe. PETA Germany took the animals along with other Ukrainian dogs to Hungary, far from the war zone:

They’re now happy at an animal shelter run by PETA friends in Budapest.

Ukrainian Heroes Help PETA Germany Feed Hungry Cats and Dogs

Delivering and distributing food all across Ukraine remains a top priority. PETA Germany has delivered 88,000 more pounds of food for homeless animals, animals in shelters, and people who have no food for their animal companions.

It wouldn’t have been possible without the help of brave Ukrainians who are determined to feed the animals at any cost. Just look at these men—these true heroes are feeding 800 dogs and cats in their region in the middle of the war: