Pet businesses that have generously donated pet food and products to the abandoned pets in war-torn Ukraine were honoured at the PIF Awards Dinner, on Thursday 9 November at Chesford Grange Hotel.
Yuriy Tokarski, CEO of the U-Hearts Foundation, a charity dedicated to helping the living conditions of abandoned pets in Ukraine, talked to over 300 guests gathered at the Awards about the work of U-Hearts and the impact of the donations from UK pet companies on the pets left behind. So far, 20 tons of pet food and pet supplies, including fleas treatment, toys, sprays and shampoos have been received, with 14 tons of the pet food donations being distributed in 12 regions of Ukraine.
Yuriy also presented a heart-warming video (see below) of volunteers working in shelters thanking UK companies, which included a personal address from Dmytro Kuleba, the Foreign Minister of Ukraine, before he presented each donor company with a certificate of thanks for their generosity.
The companies who received a certificate were:
As a thank you to the Pet Industry Federation for co-ordinating the donations during the course of the last 12 months, Yuriy also presented Nigel Baker, PIF CEO, with a unique gift – a metal pet bowl which had been moulded from a used Ukrainian artillery shell.
Nigel said: ‘We were delighted to welcome Yuriy in person at our Awards this year to meet and thank those companies who have donated products and food to abandoned pets in Ukraine. It was a moving part of our event and a fitting way to mark their generosity. Whilst Ukraine is not in the headlines as much as it was, the need for support is still very much present – perhaps even more so now. We would be pleased to hear from other pet companies that feel they can support the work in Ukraine and would ask anyone interested to get in touch.’
Companies who wish to donate pet products and food are asked to contact PIF Operations Manager Daniel Everett at Daniel.everett@petfederation.co.uk or telephone 01234 224507.
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Dan Everett