Last October, Natalia Kravtsova and her family fled from Ukraine to Norway. Along for the journey was the cat Lova. Lova did not have the vaccinations required for pets in Norway, and he was not ID marked. This is covered by the state for the refugees. Afterwards they stand on their own. And a male cat of Lova’s age should be neutered to travel outdoors. Castration, which can cost around NOK 2,500, could swallow up almost half of Kravtsova and her husband’s monthly budget. Volunteers help – We were told that Lova had to be castrated, so I sent a message to Animal Protection Norway. They could cover the costs of the castration, says Kravtsova. According to Animal Protection Norway, there are 1,500 pets in Norway that belong to Ukrainian refugees. And more will arrive in 2023. The animals have so far cost the voluntary organization over NOK 1 million. Lova is a slightly shy cat who spoils herself with fish and ice cream once in a while. Photo: Kaja Nielsen Våga / news – I really look up to the way animals are prioritized in Norway. There are procedures that are absolutely necessary to have the pets here. I don’t know what I would have done without volunteering, says Kravtsova. – My cat is my family. And the family comes first in terms of food, clothing and other expenses. She spares no expense when it comes to food and toys for Lova. The help from Animal Protection Norway was a necessity. – You want to be independent. Our lives have turned upside down in recent months, and I want to manage myself and provide for my family and Lova, says Kravtsova. – I don’t want to have to ask for help, but I am incredibly grateful for the support I have received. Can’t afford to continue Last year, Animal Protection Norway spent over NOK 1 million on refugees’ animals. The money went towards vet visits, feed and other equipment pets need. Now Animal Welfare can no longer do it alone. There are several people who bring their pets to Hå reception centre. Photo: Kaja Nielsen Våga / news – We have assisted the Ukrainian refugees for a year, and we can no longer bear this responsibility. It is important that the state and municipalities take responsibility so that animal welfare is safeguarded, says Hanne Svenningsen in Animal Protection Norway. She feels that arrangements are made for refugees to bring animals with them to Norway, but that no arrangements are made for the animals to be taken care of. Risks breaking the Animal Welfare Act – When the state does not follow up the refugees in this area, they put the refugees in a very difficult situation. They may risk breaking the Animal Welfare Act or having to kill the animal, she says. – The treatment of animals that become acutely ill can cost a lot. If the owner of the animal cannot afford the treatment, and we cannot help either, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority has a reimbursement scheme for euthanasia, says Svenningsen. Animal Protection Norway believes that the responsibility should not only lie with their organisation. – We experience that the refugees’ animals are forgotten by the aid apparatus and the responsibility is pushed onto us. We would like to help, but as it is now, we cannot carry the burden alone. Svenningsen believes there are shortcomings in the organization for refugees with animals. She hopes for support from several groups. The Ministry of Justice and Emergency Preparedness informs news that they have received an inquiry from Animal Protection Norway. It is being assessed, and a more detailed answer will come at a later date, writes communications advisor Andreas Bjørklund in an e-mail.
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Animal protection has spent 1 million on the refugees’ pets from Ukraine – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
