Due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the terrible things that have happened since up to 1 million people have already left the country. Andrea Cisternino, an Italian who runs an animal shelter in Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital city, will not be joining them.
There is currently no safe way to get rid of the more than 400 cats, dogs, and sheep who live there. Andrea has promised to stay behind with them because she knows this.
Andrea wrote on his Facebook page, “I will die here for my animals”. “I need to think about how to save a refuge and its 400 guests, who deserve to be safe no matter what.”
After relocating to Ukraine approximately 13 years ago, Andrea began his career as a rescuer during a period in which his occupation was looked down upon.
People did not always grasp the nature of his employment, and the government would pay people to kill stray dogs. In addition, the government would offer monetary rewards. However, at this point in time, people have gotten a great deal more receptive of his animal refuge.
Cisternino was as astonished as everybody else by the invasion of his country; yet, ever since the battle in Donbas in 2014, he has been stockpiling goods.
Despite the fact that they have heard gunshots every day from five in the morning until eight in the evening ever since the invasion began, he and his wife have decided to remain in Kyiv in order to care for their animals.
When he is not attending to the needs of his animals, Andrea has been keeping his followers informed by posting the following message on various social media platforms:
“The sky over the Refuge was red when I woke up this morning, and there was constant artillery shelling all through the night. I can’t sleep. I looked out the window about 15 minutes ago and saw an artillery round land a fair distance from the Refuge, but I could still smell the gunpowder well. I could make out military formations in the distance, and I could hear planes flying overhead.
Andrea has maintained her composure in the face of all of this opposition. We commend the efforts that he is making to ensure the well-being of these creatures and hold out hope that things will turn out well for him as well as the rest of the people living in Ukraine.
How does one get a donation to Mr and Mrs Cisternino in a way that one can make sure it goes directly to them?
Is Western Union functioning in Ukraine?
Thank you.
This man is a true hero. God bless him for his devotion to these poor creatures.
I would love to send a donation if there is a way I can be sure they receive it.