SvoRa – Our Story
SvoRa Animal Shelter in Kharkiv was founded during the early days of the war in March 2022, when a local family began rescuing pets that had been left behind. Many families were forced to flee quickly, leaving cats, dogs, and other animals with nowhere to go. Wanting to help, we opened our home to as many animals as we could.
As time went on, the number of animals in need grew. Injured birds, wild animals, and even abandoned fish started arriving. It became clear that this was no longer just a family effort—it was the beginning of a shelter.
Today, the shelter is run by a dedicated two-person team and is home to over 200 animals. Every day, more animals arrive—some injured, some lost, others simply abandoned. The shelter provides food, medical care, and safety for all of them, no matter their species.
Even with limited resources, we as a team continues to rescue animals affected by war. Our work aims to act as a reminder that kindness and care can still be found, even in the hardest of times. The shelter provides food, medical care, and safety for all of them, no matter their species.
The shelter now works tirelessly to house, feed, vaccinate, spay or neuter, and rehabilitate all animals in its care. When possible, wild animals are released back into their natural habitats once they’ve recovered. Every effort is made to ensure that each animal, whether domestic or wild, is given the best chance at a healthy, safe life.
Since our beginning in March 2022, the number of animals in our care has grown far beyond what we first imagined. At the start, every rescued animal lived with us in our own home, but as more and more arrived, it became clear that we needed a dedicated space to give them the care they deserve. Thanks to the incredible support of kind donors, we were able to begin building a proper shelter right next to our house—a safe place created entirely for the animals.
The construction is now in its final stages. The shelter building is nearly complete, and outdoor kennels are being prepared so that the dogs can have space to play and rest. Soon, we will install solar panels and batteries, which will provide stable, independent power to the shelter—something especially important during frequent outages.
The cost of the solar system is divided into four stages of $3,500 each. With the second stage already completed, we are now preparing to begin the next. Every donation brings us one step closer to giving the animals a safe, reliable home. If you would like to help us continue this journey, you can support us directly by donating here.
