Rescue Ukraine's Dogs: Adopt a Dog from Ukraine Today!

You can watch the video report by following this link: https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/pair-of-bay-area-women-helping-rescue-dogs-from-war-torn-parts-of-ukraine/

A pair of compassionate women from the Bay Area are extending their love for canines across borders by saving dogs from war-torn Ukraine.

Their devotion to our four-legged friends grew stronger after Mandy Allen personally witnessed the plight of Ukraine’s homeless pet population during her visit in 2017.

“I have an immense love for animals, so it was heart-wrenching to see stray cats and dogs wandering the streets,” expressed Allen.

She observed that the absence of shelters and sterilization programs in Ukraine compelled many locals to take in more abandoned dogs than they could manage.

“People were toiling to rescue these animals, often sacrificing their own well-being because they couldn’t afford enough food for themselves,” Allen explained.

In response, she and Jena Dzitsiuk co-founded “Transform a Street Dog” in 2018, a nonprofit organization based in Pacifica that dedicates itself to rescuing Ukraine’s homeless dogs. Their noble mission is funded through private donations, which cover medical care, foster care, and adoption services.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic restricted international travel, Dzitsiuk and her husband regularly visited her family in Ukraine. During these visits, they, along with various volunteers, would bring back healthy dogs for adoption.

“We saved these dogs from poisoning and dire living conditions. Some shelter dogs were in dire need of care,” Dzitsiuk recounted.

The situation took a tragic turn when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, exacerbating the challenges faced by dogs in war-torn areas and the individuals caring for them.

“Some individuals refused to leave their pets and tragically lost their lives,” Allen lamented.

To date, “Transform a Street Dog” has rescued hundreds of pets from Ukraine, and compelling before-and-after photos illustrate their incredible transformations.

Many of these dogs have found new homes across Europe, while approximately 60 found loving families in the United States and Canada. One such dog is Shunka, a stray who had been hit by a car and lost a leg.

Alyssa Marey of Union City adopted Shunka in 2021, and she and her fiancé are deeply grateful for the programs spearheaded by Allen and Dzitsiuk.

“It’s nothing short of amazing. Their commitment to entering this country and affording these dogs a chance at a life they would never have otherwise is truly inspiring,” Marey exclaimed.

“Transform a Street Dog” currently cares for about a hundred pets, with approximately half in foster homes and the remainder at their shelter in Kyiv. Some of these dogs are available for adoption, and their photos can be found on the organization’s website.

“These dogs shower you with boundless love, and I am truly thankful for those who understand this and are ready to embrace the challenge of making these dogs happy,” Dzitsiuk shared.

Allen added, “This organization’s mission is to provide animals with hope and support animal rescuers.”

In 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention temporarily imposed restrictions on importing dogs from countries at high risk for rabies. However, there are exceptions, enabling “Transform a Street Dog” to continue bringing rescue dogs to the United States, albeit with some delays.

Allen and Dzitsiuk exclusively focus on fulfilling requests for dogs from Ukraine, avoiding any contribution to the overcrowding issues faced by Bay Area animal shelters.

Their efforts are made possible through private donations, and they warmly welcome contributions at www.transformastreetdog.org.

Learn more about Transform a Street Dog & ways to DONATE:

Our website: TransformAStreetDog.org/donate.