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Trapped in the Russia-Ukraine war are uncounted thousands of animals – pets lost or abandoned, farm animals and even zoo animals. Two Edmonds residents are heading to a Polish town just 30 minutes from the war zone to help veterinarians care for hundreds of those animals.
In just one veterinary clinic in Przemysl, Poland, volunteer couriers who brave shelling in the Ukraine war zone have delivered more than 350 lost or abandoned animals. This one clinic is part of national Polish alliance, the ADA Foundation, working to save as many animals as they can.
That’s where Dan Fine and Tana Axtelle are going next Monday. They will spend most of the month of April working with doctors Jakub Kotowicz and Radosław Fedaczyńsky and their staff at this ADA clinic.
CNN reported on the Przemysl clinic that the two will go to, in a special story on “The Dogs of War: the Conflict in Ukraine.”
Dan Fine is a semi-retired internet entrepreneur with strong ties to Ukraine. His company, Fine Solutions, worked with Microsoft to field test a program in Ukraine 14 years ago. When that project finished, a number of the young Ukrainian engineers opened their own companies and Fine set up an office in Kyiv to help them. He kept the office for 10 years; his one-time office manager has now fled the war and her husband, Fine said, has stayed behind to fight. In his spare time Fine has also worked with therapy dogs for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Tana Axtelle works with K-9 Companions in Santa Rosa, California. K-9 Companions, founded in 1975, provides service dogs to adults, children, and veterans with disabilities as well as dogs to those in health care and the police in Washington and seven other Northwest states.
She gets puppies at eight weeks old and trains them for two years before they go on to those who are physically challenged, have emotional or PTSD needs or are hearing impaired. Her dog, Strummer, had worked as a K-9 companion.
Axtelle said her family has been supportive in a “reserved way”; her one daughter – who also loves to work with animals – is anxious that Mom will be gone. “You gotta live your life and this is one area that I’m passionate about,” Axtelle said. “I don’t really know what to expect,” she added. “It’s fluid over there and I don’t want to go there and be a burden” to the people she will work with.
The Polish clinic, said Fine, has approved the trip and is looking forward to the assistance. It helped expedite their visas and other paperwork, and even found them temporary lodging. Fine admits that his wife, Kim, “isn’t happy; she’s concerned but supportive.” He looks at the trip like this: “You just gotta step up and do things. I’m at a time in my life when I can step up.” The pair will help support the clinic staff. “I am hoping to help relieve some of the stress that the people really in the thick of this are feeling.” Axtelle said, ”if I can go over and say, ‘Hey, let me do it’ and give them time to recuperate, that would be great.”
Dr. Radosław Fedaczyńsky of the clinic told Polish reporters that “some of the dogs and animals we get are so weak and undernourished there is nothing we can do for them. It’s very distressing.” The goal is to treat and save as many as they can and either keep them for their owners until the fighting stops or put them up for adoption if owners cannot be found.
Fine and Axtelle are taking supplies with them. They have been working with South Snohomish County vets to acquire everything from non-prescription eye and ear medication to food supplements, oxygen rescue masks, bandages, and a long list of other things the clinic can use. Scroll to the bottom of this story for supplies they need, each of which are linked to the item on Amazon. The clinic, said Fine, does not need pet food; local veterinarians in Poland are helping to supply that.
Fine has confirmed that Amazon will ship anything ordered on their website directly to Poland – those ordering through Amazon do not have to ship. The company’s warehouses in Poland will deliver to the ADA clinic. Fine provided this address to use as the “shipping to” address on Amazon orders. He said items will go directly to the clinic: Jana Zamoyskiego 15, 37-700 Przemyśl, Poland
They know they cannot take prescription medicines from vets here into Poland, but they are encouraging pet owners who no longer need some medications to donate those to the project. Fine believes they can be shipped to the clinic. Donations of supplies and equipment only may be made by emailing Dan Fine: dan@fine.com They are not soliciting any monetary donations until they get to the Poland clinic to see if a secure funding site can be set up. We will update our reporting on that as soon as we have the information.
Fine has also secured some bulletproof vests and tactical gear for the couriers who drive into Ukraine to retrieve the animals. That may have to be shipped; he said he is hopeful that they can be delivered within a week.
(Photo courtesy MFA of Ukraine, a government organization)
Dan Fine and Tana Axtelle know they are just two among millions caught up by the searing images of violence and despair of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Like the rest of us, they’ve been overwhelmed by those scenes. They hope they can make a difference, no matter how small –“sitting here and watching, it’s hard.” Axtelle said; “being able to maybe be of some help and assistance” is what they will try.
— By Bob Throndsen
Supply list available on Amazon
(Reminder: Ship to Jana Zamoyskiego 15, 37-700 Przemyśl, Poland)
OptixCare Eye Lube Plus + Hyaluron 20g for Dog Cat Horses
Zymox Pet King Brand Otic Pet Ear Treatment with Hydrocortisone
AUPCON Vet Wrap Cohesive Bandages Bulk Self Adhesive Bandage Wrap
Vetericyn FoamCare Medicated Pet Shampoo
Dog or Cat Oxygen Therapy Rescue Mask
6 Foot Slip Lead, Slip Leads, Kennel Leads with O Ring for Dog Pet Animal Control
iProven Pet Thermometer (Termometro) for Accurate Fever Detection
FRONTLINE Plus Flea and Tick Treatment for Cats
RAPICCA Animal Handling Gloves Bite Proof Kevlar Reinforced Leather Padding
ROZKITCH Pet Dog Support Harness Rear Lifting Harness
PetHonesty 10 in 1 Dog Multivitamins with Glucosamine
3M Littmann Classic III Monitoring Stethoscope
Medical Scissors Trauma Shears
Sterile Sutures Thread with Needle Plus Tools
Cynamed 2-in-1 Ear Scope Set – Multi-Function Otoscope for Ear, Nose & Eye Examination
Self-Sterilization Pouches for Cleaning Tools
Cynamed T/C Adson Plastic Surgery Forceps 4.75″ Straight Fine Point with Tungsten Carbide Inserts
BSTEAN Plastic Syringe Pack with Needles and Caps for Pet Feeding, Lab Measurement
Premium CYNAMED USA 157 Pieces Instruments KIT Veterinary Scissors Forceps Needle Holder Scalpel
Ultrasonic Cleaner 10L Digital Cleaning Machine
LEIZENG 10pcs Veterinary Suture Needles For Animal surgical needle and Fur Sew Tool
Thank you both so much for caring for the animals. It says a lot about how the Ukrainian people care for their pets. My heart goes out to them all. Please stay safe. ❤
Thank you for doing this. You make a difference.
Tana,
I bid you a safe and successful mission as you continue your journey in helping others. We are so proud of you. Thank you.
Sandy
So proud of you two! Thank you!!!
If you want to ship these items to Poland from Amazon, you need to use their International page: https://www.amazon.com/International-Shipping-Direct/b/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&node=230659011&linkCode=sl2&tag=amazonshipabroad-20&linkId=f02c52b05d26bae91a9614f1a438c2b7&language=en_US
Dan, first off thank you so much for what you and Tana are doing! I am very grateful for and humbled by your generous spirits.
I’m a little confused about how I can send things from Amazon. Do I need to set something up with you first via email, or can I go to the international page and send to the address in Poland referenced in the article.
Again, thank you!
You can send it directly to them.
Their phone is +48728475349
When you order from Amazon, you should use the international order page:
Amazon International shopping and shipping made easy
I’ve tried to purchase 6 different items to ship and Amazon says each time that the item isn’t available to ship to Poland. I don’t know if the items aren’t available, or if the address isn’t complete, but I’m not sure what to do at this point. Is the address correct/complete as: Jana Zamoyskiego 15, 37-700 Przemyśl, Poland? I tried it as: Jana Zamoyskiego, 15, Przemyśl, Poland 37-700 too, without luck.
Thank you for posting the phone #, that was hanging me up before.
I used the link provided, however, despite being listed in the international shipping section, I got a message that several items could not be shipped internationally. I tried something not ‘medical-ly’ – slip leads – and was able to place the order. Hopefully I did it correctly.
I selected Poland as the country, used the name of the vet given in the article, and the phone number (without the 48). I put Jana Zamoyskiego 15 as the street address, then entered the 37-700 in the postal code field. Then Amazon allowed me to select Przemysl as the city.
Everything seemed to go through, I will monitor on my account and if it looks like it worked, I will check back and see if other items can be sent.
Thank you for doing this.
Thanks, Anne. We leave on Monday, so I’ll check to make sure things are coming through. I did check with the clinic and that is the correct address. Dan
What heroic people. Thank you!
https://www.amazon.com/International-Shipping-Direct/b/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&node=230659011&linkCode=sl2&tag=amazonshipabroad-20&linkId=f02c52b05d26bae91a9614f1a438c2b7&language=en_US
Try this link. It’s for Amazon International. They don’t make it easy. Also, the 37-700 is the zip/postal code. And if you select Poland as the country, you don’t need the +48 country code for the phone, just 728475349.
Thank you,
Dan
Dan and Anna thank you so very much for what you are doing for the animals ravaged by this senseless war. They need our help, too. And, thank you for giving the rest of us, wishing to do more, a long list of needed items we can order from Amazon International.
Please post a link to your Amazon Supply (Gift?) List. Have tried to find it via name(s), organization name, etc. and also under Charity Lists. Nada.
Easier for donors to work from within Amazon List than from individual items list here.
Thank you so much!
I think we should hold off on the Amazon list for now. We met with the clinic/shelter yesterday. DHL has it stuck in customs, and we have to jump through some hoops to get it released. We discussed a GoFundMe page and then we can buy supplies here in Poland without any delay or massive paperwork. We’ll talk about it someomore today and get something going that will be much smoother. Thank you.
Thank you Dan and Tana. We await word on how best to support the important work you are doing.
Hello, I want to thank you with all my heart for helping out the animals that need your help so bad! My heart is broken from all this pain and war. I want to help as well. I do not have much but anything will help I’m sure. I can’t just not do anything. So, if we can donate some money some place some how .please let me know. Thank you so much. God bless, and be safe. Also could you say thank you to those that are risking their lives to go get the animals for you all as well? Thank you again. I’ll keep you all in my prayers.
Thank you for sharing this journey and for your efforts to help the people in Poland/Urkraine rescue animals. We want to donate so I’m glad you’ll keep us posted on how to do that. Take care and please thank everyone there! We just got back from Prague (from New Mexico) and took donations and cash for groups helping people of Ukraine. We want to help animals just as much, so thank you! Paula Kelley
Hi Paula Anne, we will keep you apprised about donating. We are working on it, but want to do it right. Some groups here have plenty, while others have little, but are doing a lot. Today was fabulous. We started the day by handing out bullet proof vests and combat helmets. Then we walked dogs at the ADA Foundation that are from the Ukraine. Then we went to a warehouse and helped pack food and supplies for animal shelters in the Ukraine. These brave people are driving them in. And then back to ADA for more do walking. Then a miracle happened. The COO of the Foundation said they needed someone to take care of about 8 Ukrainian dogs and cats during the night. So, I am sleeping here with them. I took a puppy out and socialized with her. I will do the same with each one every night. What an experience. So many good hearted people here. Dan
Dan, thank you for sharing your experiences! I so respect what you and Tana are doing; you are a blessing to the animals of Ukraine.
I look forward to more updates, if you have the energy and time!
A post on the ADA Facebook page on March 24 indicated they were running out of warehouse space for supplies, at least then.
The Facebook page listed links to donate funds via PayPal.
However, since Dan is on the ground there, he will have more current information as to what is needed for ADA and other animal groups they’re working with.
Cheers for the brave folks working to help animals caught in this evil mess.
Hi Cindy, good observation. Tana and I are walking dogs for ADA and then working at a different organization that has a warehouse of supples, food, meds, etc. ADA is incredibly well run and they really care for the pets. They have about 70 Ukrainian animals. Yesterday, we took the assignment of sleeping at one of their shelters housing eight dogs and eight cats from 7pm to 6am. Tana and I are putting together a Go Fund Me for the other warehouse (they are sending people into Ukraine daily to deliver supplies and bring back animals), and other organizaitons that are just good people helping out. But, ADA is caring for a lot of these animals and they are also good to donate to via their PayPal. We will have to the Go Fund Me up today, but have to do some work at the warehouse and deliver some goods back at the shelter. We are also running up to see the vets at the border for people walking over with their pets.