Ukrainians with cats flee to neighboring countries seeking safety

When the Russian invasion of Ukraine began three weeks ago, residents in Kyiv were urged to take up arms against Putin’s forces.

While thousands of Ukrainians began to flee their country, many are refusing to leave without their pets by their side.

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Many residents wanting to avoid the fierce fight have been flooding into subways to shield themselves and their pets from the attack.

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Citizens caught in the crossfire are grabbing their suitcases and their cats as they seek safety in bomb shelters or neighboring countries.

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Many Ukrainians are taking their cats with them underground into metro subway stations to seek shelter from Russian airstrikes.

Others are fleeing to nearby countries. According to recent reports, Poland, Romania and Slovakia are allowing Ukrainians to bring pets across borders without veterinary paperwork.

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Ukrainian soldiers are being comforted by homeless cats and stray cats that have found shelter in their trenches…

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while heroic volunteers and shelter workers are staying behind in the face of missile strikes to care for homeless animals.