A Sheffield man is set to travel to the warzone in Ukraine to help rescue and rehome abandoned street animals.
Julian Hales, 52, will be taking a trip to the frontline in Ukraine at the end of this month with the goal of saving at least one dog from the war conditions.
He has previously travelled to the warzone in Ukraine where he has helped vaccinate pets during bombings, transported animals to be sterilised and covered kennel costs for rescued pets.
Julian said: “Everyone’s just forgot about it, there are no big rescues. I’m not a hero, I’m just an old bloke.”
“All I want is the wagging tale of a dog or the purr of a cat in my arms”.
He said due to the war, many properties have been destroyed and families have been displaced, leaving pets stranded in the frontline.
He added that humanitarian aid groups are unable to take aid into the warzones due to no ‘safe corridor’ being provided.
Julian plans to provide lifesaving pet food supplies to the frontline and arrange vet care back in England.
He will travel through Ukraine in a 4×4 with supplies and essentials which he will provide to women, children, the elderly, and the pets he sets out to rescue.
Julian has been involved animal welfare for over 30 years, as well as previously working with British Red Cross and other Sheffield rescue charities.
He said: “I’m just not willing to sit at home and do nothing. I’ve spent my whole life rescuing animals. I will never see an animal suffer.”
Julian started aiding pets at war with his wife when the Ukraine conflict began, but she has since passed away.
Julian said: “I lost my wife a few years ago and it hurt me.”
“I think my wife will be looking down on me saying look up and carry on because these animals are people.”
Julian is looking for all the support he can get and is accepting donations via his social media pages, with being less than a month away from his mission,
He will be documenting his journey through his Facebook page CatManJules Goes East.
