Sheffield man to travel to Ukraine to help abandoned animals

An animal lover prepares to travel to Ukraine to deliver pets and supplies.

Julian Hales has made several voyages since the Russian invasion in 2022 and plans to return to the port of Kherson later this month.

As well as delivering supplies the 52-year-old from Sheffield will also help abandoned animals on the street.

She said she was inspired to “do something” following her husband’s death in January 2022 at the age of 47.

Kherson was captured just days after Russia invaded Ukraine two years ago, before troops were forced to withdraw in November 2022.

Reflecting on his past trips, Mr Hales said: “Just seeing the state of the animals on the streets in freezing conditions, half blown, injured, sick, it’s something you can’t imagine until you actually you can see it.

“You see the pictures, you see the videos, you see people talking, but until you actually get there and experience it and touch it, smell it and hear it.”

During a visit later this month, he said he would work with the support of a Ukrainian helper to round up street dogs and take them to a mobile vet to be spayed or neutered.

The animals are also wormed, vaccinated, tagged and documented before being put back on the street.

With the help of volunteers from charity Andy’s Man Club, Mr Hales said he repurposed and insulated a camper unit for the back of his truck to sleep in, with temperatures often dropping below freezing. at this time of year.

“I’m not going for five-star luxury,” he said. “I just want it warm, dry and somewhere I can cook and sleep at night.”

She said while her husband would think she was “crazy” for going she knew he would support her.

“Every time I go there, I hit a really low point, I cry and I think to myself that he’s looking at me and telling me to get up and keep going, so I do.”