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The number of destroyed animals slowly decreased in 1977. Most probably this is related to the launch of the movie “White Bim – Black Ear” that woke up the consciousness of society. In 1980 the number of destroyed animals comes to its highest point. The reason was the preparation of the capital to the world sport holiday “Olympic Games 1980”. In 1981 the diagramme a bit decreased. At that time The Kiev’s Animals Protection Organization activated its movements against the murders of homeless animals. Home Shelters – Rescue From Death?The most popular way of protecting animals in Ukraine has been and is the foundation of the home private shelters. The shelter in a local apartment is the outstanding attempt to rescue at least some animals from death. People who had such private shelters were becoming the victims of mocking from the neighbors and local authorities. It was the way of constant persecution and starvation existence of the animals and their protectors. Very often such people were sent to the psycho-clinics, the animals were sent to the camps of death, and government was confiscating the apartment. Therefore the dictated regime was pressing on any display of the humanity, especially such as the compassion to the weak and unprotected creatures. The idea of animals’ protection that was born during the thaw of 60s sank in the official indifference of 70s. The love to animals didn’t spread to those who appeared on the streets. That was and still is the common moral of those times. The soviet type of mentality couldn’t take the thought of protecting of animals. That was reality. With A Belief In A New Life
The Kiewit Vera Arseniivna Kotlyarevska, who was an activist of Kiev’s Animals Protection Organization, who was a teacher of biology in Kiev pedagogical college, came to Moscow on some business. In Vnukovo airport one shepherd dog arose her attention- the dog was lying on the flying track in a waiting pose. As it became clear, the dog was waiting for her owner who left her alone in the airport. The dog was waiting for 2 years. During this time the shepherd dog was taken care by the airport employees, but she didn’t let anyone come close. When the plane was landing, the dog was getting very agitated; every cell of her body was filled with the impatient waiting. The owner of a dog didn’t come back – he betrayed his dog. Everyone felt sorry for the dog, the story got to the newspapers, but no one could help a poor animal. It was decided by the local authorities to shoot the dog. Vira Arsenieva came to the place just on time. She had felt immediately that could influence the way of the events. One week had passed before the dog trusted the woman, and allowed to put the collar on. Then it was a flight to Kiev where the hospitable home of Vera Arsenieva was waiting for a dog. This was the FAITH in HUMAN was revived – that faith that God gave to a dog, and that faith that a human abuses. There was a movie made about this noble act of V.Kotlyarevska as we believe didn’t remain anyone indifferent. Vira Arsenieva: “I was talking many times to spectaculars in the cinemas, and always I saw the sad picture – after the movie was over, the upset people were passing by the homeless animals with no reaction. But my Palma is not different from any betrayed and abandoned dog. My deed that is called by some people a pathos feat is very easy to repeat : many homeless dogs eyes are waiting for your one move of your heart to walk after you even to the end of the world”. «Tatarka» – the bitter alphabet of Kiev’s Animals Protection Movement
The Stray Animals Have No Right To Live In KievIn 1997 the key event happened in life of the protectors of animals in Kiev. “Tatarka” was an eyesore not only to the representatives of municipality, but also to people of St. Makaria church. The activists of the Organization was trying to solve the problem with Tatarka, but Municipality solved everything by its strong will. Tatarka place was already viewed for building new houses for General Direction of serving foreign representatives in Kiev. The dogs were planned to be moved from Kiev to village Sinyak (35 km from Kiev). The Death Of Dogs – Reckless Or Criminal Act?On 30 April 1998 a big covered truck came over to the gate of Tatarka. The loading of alive souls started. There were observers: the assistant of the principal of Animals Protection Organization, the director of state company “The animals in the city”, the vet doctors of veterinary company “Fauna-Service”. The atmosphere was very tough, the militia was watching the process. The dogs behaved liked they felt misfortune, they wouldn’t let themselves put into the wagon, and that’s why the decision to put the dogs to sleep was made. When the truck at last got to the village, most of the dogs were DEAD. The prisoners of concentration camp died in gas chamber. No one related to this tragedy was punished for murdering the alive souls. Start Everything From The BeginningThe new shelter in Synyak was not that much different from the one in Tatarka. The dogs had miserable existence. Being far away from the city, the shelter faced the problems of proper feeding of the dogs and the working man power was not enough as well. The activists of Kiev’s Animals Protection Movement decided to change such horrible case. On 11 of September 1999 the Conference of animals protectors took place and determined the further policy of Kiev’s Local Animals Protection Society. Asya Vilgelmovna Serpinska who was one of the most active members, was selected as the Chief head of the management. Point Of ViewFrom 11 of September, the revival of kiev’s animals protection organization started. The first miserable experience and a “manual” for Asya Vilgelmovna, as to many other activists, was Tatarka. During many years, Asya Vilgelmovna donates huge amounts from her family budget to maintaining the dogs at Tatarka. Later she continues the sponsoring activity in Sinyak village. At the same time, all her family feeds the stray animals in the streets of the city. In March 1999 Asya Vilgelmovna Serpinska, the teacher at University, helped to organize the manifestation of Animals Protectors near the Parliament House, but no one of the above mentioned Parliament reacted to this action. Soon, one more manifestation took place, that didn’t end up in any result as well. Asya Vilgelmovna came to conclusion that the problem of stray animals has to be solved by the activists counting only on their own efforts. Gostomel – The Place For New ShelterIn May 2000 the revived Society of Animals Protection found a new place for animals shelter. The old cow house in Gostomel city (Kiev district) became a shelter for many homeless souls. We still count on any Kiev’s lady that could be given for animals.
Asya Vilgelmovna says: “We understand very well how far we are from Western shelters that we can watch them only on video or magazines. We are willingly follow a foreign experience, and dream to make a set of shelters and veterinary complexes for sterilization, vaccination and treatment of stray animals. And this is only part of our dreams”. The Blessing Of Pastor Serafim“Come in those who suffer!” These are the words that could be written on the gate of men’s dwelling in a monastery of Kievo-Pecehrsk Lavra. They really came here- they were not only people, but animals as well. They all were enjoying the warmth of Pastor Serafim’s soul. That was a place where homeless animals found their shelter. Father Serafim made the beginning for such a Christian tradition. And to tell that he is not with us any more- we can not say so. People still come to his place to have a spiritual recovery. Some monks tell that many sick animals got recovered lying on Father’s Serafim grave. The Success Of The Society Depends On Mutual Understanding And Good Will Of PeopleWhy is necessary to set up animals shelters? Every civilized human doesn’t rise such a question, every cultured Ukrainian man understands this. Yes, Ukraine is an economically weak country, and officials, that are indifferent to people first of all, use such excuse. The main sign of a spiritual health of a Nation is compassion to the weakest members of this nation. Is it worth looking for the proves that home animals have become part of peoples’ society a long time ago? The object of our protection is the silent creatures that even cant ask for help. Very often we are reproached that we take care of animals and not of invalids or homeless children. We understood that such reproaches can be heard only from people who help neither people nor animals. He Was Lucky, How About Others?This small puppy was found at some park area, in the suburb of Kiev. He was very weak and worn out. It was not possible for him to survive without special medical care. In Kiev’s local vet clinic the puppy was examined, and found out that he has all kinds of parasites that suck blood of many stray animals and pretty often this becomes a reason of animals death. This puppy was lucky, he met people who were not indifferent to his life and took care of him. From beginning he was very afraid of human’s hands – it was obvious that he has experienced already humans’ cruelty. This story is the small drop in the ocean of sufferings of small creatures that were born unneeded. Isn’t it finally time to determine that the most humane way to prevent birth of animals who will suffer during their life time, is sterilization. After the medical treatment, the puppy will stay in the Shelter of Kiev’s Animals Protection Organization, and will wait for his owner. We wish him luck!
Please look carefully into their “faces” - every one is not similar to another one. May be among them you will find a real friend. Every month the Shelter finds home for 8-10 dogs and about 20 cats. You could become a lucky owner of one of the Shelters dwellers". 2001
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