AVMF and global partners bring hope and healing to Ukraine
As the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) brings its Ukraine support initiative to a close, one message shines through: Compassion knows no borders. Thanks to the generosity of AVMF donors and the dedication of international partners, thousands of animals and people received critical care, comfort, and hope during one of the most challenging humanitarian crises of our time.
A mission of compassion, made possible by donations
Since the onset of conflict in Ukraine, AVMF has led a global network of veterinary and animal welfare organizations working to deliver lifesaving assistance across the country and at its borders. Through grants totaling more than $720,000, AVMF enabled mobile veterinary care, educational programs, food aid, and emergency supplies, turning donor compassion into tangible, lifesaving results.
The Ukrainian Small Animal Veterinary Association (USAVA) received $310,000 in AVMF support to deliver mobile veterinary care and professional education across some of the most war-affected regions of Ukraine. Their mobile teams traveled thousands of miles, treating and vaccinating animals and performing hundreds of sterilizations and surgeries.
Click image to expand ↑
With AVMF funding, USAVA also provided continuing education for more than 1,000 Ukrainian veterinarians through partnerships with the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) and the Ukrainian School of Veterinary Medicine.
One participant shared, “This program gave me not only new skills but hope. It reminded us that we are not alone.”
AVMF’s humanitarian impact extended beyond animal care. Greater Good Charities and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) each received $125,000 to deliver food, supplies, and veterinary support across Ukraine and bordering countries. Together, they provided millions of meals, thousands of relief boxes, and logistical support that reached far into affected communities.
At the Romania–Ukraine border, The Street Dog Coalition used a $90,000 AVMF grant to staff emergency veterinary clinics, ship medical supplies into Ukraine, and care for animals crossing with refugees. Their work, in partnership with veterinary students and volunteers, ensured that both animals and their caregivers received compassionate attention in a time of great need.
Click image to expand ↑
Worldwide Vets, supported by $40,000 from AVMF, deployed international volunteers from more than seven countries to perform surgeries, vaccinations, and emergency treatments across several Ukrainian regions. Their team also acquired critical equipment such as IV fluid warmers and stands to enhance patient safety during cold-weather operations.
Support also reached zoological and wildlife institutions through a $25,000 AVMF grant to the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), which helped safeguard animal welfare and maintain care for endangered species during the conflict.
Even smaller acts of generosity had a lasting effect—such as a $5,000 grant to the District of Columbia Veterinary Medical Association, which contributed to ongoing veterinary aid and training efforts.
Click image to expand ↑
What began as an emergency response grew into a global collaboration, uniting veterinarians, students, animal advocates, and donors under a shared mission: to care for those who could not care for themselves.
“This effort demonstrates the heart of our profession,” said Dr. Michael Bailey, AVMA President. “Together with our partners and donors, AVMF helped ensure that animals, veterinarians, and the communities they serve were not forgotten.”
As this phase of AVMF’s Ukraine support comes to a close, its impact endures—in the lives saved, the knowledge shared, and the hope restored. The Foundation extends heartfelt gratitude to every donor, partner, and volunteer who made this mission possible.
Together, we proved that compassion can travel any distance, and that even in the hardest times, the veterinary community stands united.
Partners in compassion:
Ukrainian Small Animal Veterinary Association • Greater Good Charities • International Fund for Animal Welfare • The Street Dog Coalition • Worldwide Vets • European Association of Zoos and Aquaria • District of Columbia Veterinary Medical Association
Learn more about AVMF global impact >
It’s the power of community that makes the AVMF Disaster Relief Program possible. Support future efforts to provide lifesaving veterinary care when it’s needed most.