Operation Ukraine
Ukraine
The aim of this project is to carry out mass sterilization and vaccination in Ukraine, where there are many abandoned dogs and cats. Qualified vets with high volume sterilisation experience who are comfortable operating on +/- 20 to 30 animals per day join our mission serving stray animals, shelter animals, and pets in low-income areas.
If you want to discover more about our work in Ukraine since 2022, you can head to this page.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
Help sterilize stray animals abandoned due to the war
Provide care to owners needing support for their pets
High volume spay and neuter
Make an impact where it is really needed
Work in a dynamic field environment
A chance to explore beautiful Ukraine on days off
Immerse yourself in Ukrainian culture and society
Evenings at leisure to enjoy the beautiful areas surrounding our location
Project video
This project is for vets who have worked in high volume clinics in the past and are confident and competent spaying and neutering. Our pace of work is fast and impactful, so is not suited to those needing to gain experience. We are seeking volunteers with the following skills for this project:
Comfortable sterilising +/- 20 to 30 animals per day
Carrying out a dog spey in +/- 20 minutes
Utilising small incision sites (generally <1cm for cat, <3cm for dogs)
If you feel your skill set suits this workload, please do apply through our site, and a member of our team will reach out to you in order to receive your CV which will demonstrate:
Relevant skills
Licence number
2 references who can attest high volume sterilisation work.
Volunteers must be comfortable operating on all sizes of cat and dog, as you may get big guard dog types on your table. We require volunteers to be flexible, open minded, and with a good sense of humour. We rarely know what is due to walk in through the door on any given day! You may need it pick up the occasional poop and help catch or move animals. Everyone prepares, maintains and cleans thier own surgical area each day.
Daily Schedule
9am : Arrive at clinic (possibly earlier start if collecting animals or working in the field).
10am - 4pm : Surgery with lunch eaten between operations (field days can be longer!)
4pm: Discharge or return animals
5pm: evenings at leisure
So if you enjoy fast paced, high volume sterilisation, and want a chance to explire beautiful Ukraine as part of a dynamic team who are making a real difference, this is for you!
KEY VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES
During your stay you may have the chance to operate in our mobile veterinary clinic trailer, or be based in a static building. It is important to note that most of the time we do not work in a vet clinic, but rather in buildings like schools, hospitals and outhouses which have been temporarily set up for our use. Your surgery table may be a school desk, counter top or kitchen table! As such we require vets who are confident and competent at providing surgical intervention in a field setting.
Surgery preparation
Sterilisation (dog and cat)
Pyometra surgery
Critical care of injured animals
Diagnostic work up of sick or injured animals
Vaccinations
Consultations
Post surgery/consult cleaning
Project Photos
ACCOMMODATION
Regardless of where you come, you will be accommodated in single or shared same sex accommodation. The rooms are clean and comfortable. Bedding and towels will be provided for you. If you join us at the Sterilisation Hub, as most volunteers do, the volunteer cottage is just across the road to our clinic. Breakfast will be eaten at the cottage, lunch is normally a packed lunch and eaten on-site at the clinic or outreach location of the day, and dinner is self cooked in the equiped kitchen. The food access in Ukraine is quite good, and most can easily cater for their dietry requirements.
Food costs and catering are the volunteer’s responsibility but we will take you to the shops (15 minute walk) on your first day to get what you need and learn your way around. There is a washing machine for clothes washing. There is Wifi at clinic but not at the cottage, so setting your phone for roaming, or getting an e-sim is a good idea to stay connected.
LOCATION
You are most likely to be based at our perminent Sterilisation Hub, a small clinic in the little villiage of Khrystynivka, 2.5 hours South of Kyiv. Here we have a reception space, a preparation and surgery room. You may also join us on outreach missions, where we pack our supplies for a day (or few), and head off to more remote villiages, setting up in town halls, schools, or garages. These facilities are more challenging, often with no power or running water. Sometimes the team is working away from "home" for weeks at a time to support underserved regions. These locations are selected based on need and safety, and volunteers must be flexible, as travel routes and destinations may be adjusted last minute and without prior warning to keep us as safe as possible based on real-time intelligence.
We are located in a relatively quiet, non-military village setting, far from the frontline, but at any time and in any place in the country, Russian missiles or aerial drones can strike targets, including civilian buildings. Volunteers travel by train to the capital Kyiv, which is under attack on a sometimes-weekly basis. Generally, attacks occur in the middle of the night (volunteers arrive for a few hours in the morning, before they depart in car for the clinic), but this is not guaranteed. There are mobile apps that provide alerts when an attack may be imminent, and during these times our volunteers decide whether they prefer to stay indoors between solid brick walls for protection from potential shrapnel, or continue with their activities as normal. It is entirely a personal decision, and each individual must make their own choice.
Generally, nothing comes of most warnings or sirens. However, this is still a war zone, and no one can guarantee anyone’s safety in any part of the country. If this level of risk is uncomfortable for you, then this is not the right project for you.
Before 2022, Ukraine was the 8th most popular destination in Europe. This beautiful country has sweeping farms, snowcapepd mountains, sandy beaches and much in between. You will see glittering golden churches, mighty monuments to independance, and rustic little cottages as you travel. A strong culture shines through every aspect of daily life here. People proudly wear traditional clothing, bright blouses called "vyshyvanka" and Ukrainian food carries rich traditions through dishes like Borscht (soup), Varenyky (dumplings), Deruni (Potato Pancakes), each rooted in local ingredients and centuries-old cultural heritage.
PROJECT FEE
We ask volunteers to fundraise £1,000 to cover their time with us in Ukraine.
All of our donations to straight to the animals. This money you fundraise ensures we can get you to the project safely, provide comfy housing, fuel you with tea and coffee, and equip you with uniform during your time with us.
What's included
Pre departure assistance to help plan your trip
Your overnight train into and out of Ukraine
Collection and return from the train station to the clinic (2.5 hours each way)
Accommodation in quaint villiage cottage (shared) or other if on missions
Scrubs top and t-shirts for work days
What's not included
Flights to Warsaw
Alcohol and meals
Visas (if required)
Personal medical insurance. Optional: trip/flight/luggage insurane.
PROJECT SPECIFICS
AGE: maximum 65 years old
QUALIFICATIONS: Open to qualified vets.
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
Due to the isolated nature of our locations, and the demanding nature of our work, a certain level of fitness is required to join this project. While we try to make our work as comfortable as possible, there are times when physical tasks are necessary to ensure safety and efficiency.
As such, you should be able to:
Climb up and down from a high pickup truck
Comfortably run 50 metres
Walk 1 kilometres over rocky and uneven ground
Not suffer from unmanaged depression or anxiety
Due to the nature of this mission, if you have anxiety, PTSD, or are easily emotionally triggered, this is not the right mission for you. If mental or physical challenges prove problematic to safety, we reserve the right to coordinate the departure of volunteers from Ukraine with immediate effect. We reserve the right to terminate a stay based on incorrectly or undisclosed disabilities.
If you have a history of physical injuries, disabilities, or mental health conditions and would like to discuss your fitness to attend, we encourage you to apply and highlight this in your application form. We’re more than happy to have a conversation with you, and always do our best to be inclusive and accommodating.
START DATES
Flexible start dates.
Project duration is 2 weeks minimum
Arrival
We suggest arriving Warsaw Saturday, arriving Ukraine Sunday, starting work Monday.
You will fly in to Warsaw the day before the mission starts, and take an evening overnight train (14 hours) into Kyiv, Ukraine. On arrival our driver will collect you and bring you 2.5 hours to the clinic.
Departure
We suggest departing clinic and heading to Kyiv on Saturday, taking a Saturday night train to Warsaw, and departing Warsaw Sunday noon or evening.
Our driver will return you to the train station and ensure you are on the correct train to depart Ukraine. The departing train trip is also 14 hours. Once in Warsaw, Poland, your onward journey is at your own planning and cost.
WHAT NEXT?
We want you to join us in Ukraine helping animals affected by the war. If you have the time and experience to join us, please head to the apply now button and speak to one of our team.
Project Fees
Volunteering is a rewarding experience that makes a real impact on animal welfare and provides a chance to learn and travel to beautiful places....
booking conditions
Worldwide Vets aims to provide you with an easy booking experience and the a trip of a lifetime. As such, we have terms and conditions we ask you to abide by when booking a project with us...
PAST feedback
Sarah Stephenson
September 2023
"Going to the Ukraine to spay and neuter cats and dogs left behind from citizens fleeing the conflict was truly a blessing of a trip! I can not wait to return! We were well trained in the event a combat situation occurred near where we were working. The motto of Worldwide Vets is, “If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you,” and this is truly the case with this trip. We worked all day for several days at a shelter with 3200 dogs and 6 employees! These folks are hard working, delightful to know, and completely dedicated to the animals! I encourage you to jump in and go if you are interested, you will not be disappointed!"
Jon Geller
September 2023
"My recent experience working with the Worldwide Vets team in Ukraine was the highlight of my veterinary career. The spirit of collaboration, hard work, with plenty of fun to go around, made the experience unforgettable. Working elbow to elbow with Ukranian veterinarians in the wartime environment created strong bonds despite the language barrier. Dr. Campling proved to be an excellent leader and worked hard to create a safe and positive experience for volunteers.!
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