The contribution of UK firms to supporting pets in Ukraine has been recognised with a number of special awards.
Yuriy Tokarski, ceo of the U-Hearts Foundation, a charity dedicated to helping the living conditions of abandoned pets in the war-torn country, was a special guest at last week’s Pet Industry Federation (PIF) Awards dinner.
Addressing the 300 guests about the work of U-Hearts and the impact of the donations from UK pet companies on the pets left behind, Tokarski screened a video of volunteers working in shelters thanking UK companies – including a personal address from Dmytro Kuleba, the Foreign Minister of Ukraine – before he presented each donor company with a certificate of appreciation for their generosity.
Companies receiving a certificate were Jollyes, Johnson’s Veterinary Products, James & Steel, Pet Family, Little Big Paw, Skinner’s, Mackle Petfoods, Pet’sUp, Pedigree Wholesale amd The Big Biscuit Company. So far, 20 tons of pet food and pet supplies, including flea treatments, toys, sprays and shampoos have been received, with 14 tons of the pet food donations being distributed in 12 regions of Ukraine.
Tokarski also presented PIF ceo Nigel Baker with a metal pet bowl that had been moulded from a used Ukrainian artillery shell as a thank you to the Federation for co-ordinating the donations during the last 12 months.
Baker said: “We were delighted to welcome Yuriy in person at our Awards this year to meet and thank those companies who have donated products and food to abandoned pets in Ukraine. It was a moving part of our event and a fitting way to mark their generosity.
“Whilst Ukraine is not in the headlines as much as it was, the need for support is still very much present – perhaps even more so now. We would be pleased to hear from other pet companies that feel they can support the work in Ukraine and would ask anyone interested to get in touch.”
