Homeless dogs abound in Ukraine after millions of people fled the war or the owner was killed. The dogs live in ruins and on the streets, and have no one to take care of them. Lost own dog It cuts Frederik Guttormsen’s heart. He lost his own dog a year ago and when he read in VG about the poor dogs in Ukraine he decided to do something. He found a way to honor his late dog Inu. – I could not save him, but I can save others like him. HONORS: Fredrik Guttormsen will honor his deceased dog Inu through the project. Photo: Private From the cabin in Valdres, he set up a Spleis and donated 100,000 kroner to a project to help dogs in Ukraine. It started small. – But then I got blood on my teeth when I heard that the largest contribution was 20 tons from an organization. I thought that a private person from Norway had to do better, says Guttormsen. So it ended up with 40 tons of dog food. In addition, there are toys and other equipment for dogs. He has received money via a splice on Facebook, in addition to taking 100,000 kroner from his own pocket. On Monday he travels to Ukraine and the final preparations are now being made in Oslo. It was the newspaper Valdres that first mentioned the case. Buying time Although 40 tonnes sounds like a lot, he points out that it is not enough. – There is food for 8000 dogs for 30 days. It buys time for reunion with the owner or adoption, says Guttormsen. He is very concerned that the food reaches those who need it most, and does not end up at a pet store chain, for example. So together with UAnimals which is a large animal welfare organization in Ukraine, they have found recipients who have dogs that need the help the most. ANIMAL AMBULANCE: Fredrik Guttormsen travels in an animal ambulance. Photo: Erlend Arnesen / news He has not only arranged the dog food. Guttormsen joins the trip himself as well, in a converted car that has become an animal ambulance. – The background is that UAnimals has two large vans themselves, but they struggle to procure diesel in the areas where the need is greatest. As humanitarian aid workers, we get diesel. They will drive to areas south and east of Ukraine, and evacuate dogs to safer areas on their way back. Love for dogs Stig Haugen will be on the trip down. – I was very impressed with the effort Fredrik put in, and wanted to contribute what I could. It was me, he says. He is very fond of dogs and reacts when he sees suffering. Here he felt that he could do something about the disorder – It is safer and nicer to be two, he says. Fredrik Guttormsen is prepared for situations where he gets scared. – But it is easy to ignore it if you know you can make a difference. There are others who feel even worse. And here Stig Haugen’s background can help, because he has a background from both the police and the Armed Forces.
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Frederik Guttormsen goes to Ukraine with 40 tonnes of dog food – news Innlandet – Local news, TV and radio
