Online fund-raiser set up by Pets at Home Group to support pets through charities working on the ground raises Ā£100,000 ā with the same figure pledged from the group.
Small animal vet Tim Sandys, who signed up to the Homes for Ukraine scheme, was matched with a family from Kharkiv, but faced delays and red tape bringing them and their dog to the UK.
Defra halted imports from Ukraine, Poland, Belarus and Romania for health reasons, and also to free up quarantine space for the owned pets of refugees coming to the UK from the war zone.
Officials are concerned about the health risks for the UK of large numbers of rescue animals entering the country, and instead Defra wants to prioritise pets of refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine.
The Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations and The Webinar Vet teamed up for the event, which ran all day on 9 April and featured 19 live sessions.
Staff from across the VetPartners group of practices raised the cash via a series of fund-raising initiatives, including cake sales, raffles and donations in exchange for free vet services.
Humane Society International and partner groups have established a fund, backed by Mars Incorporated, to pay for up toĀ ā¬250 (Ā£209) for up to five pets each in 38 countries ā including UK.
Follow-up border checks by APHA showed a shipment of 19 animals imported by a rescue charity from Ukraine travelled on falsified rabies documentation.Ā
British Veterinary Professionals for Ukraine, which had been coordinating the sending of medical equipment to human and vet medics, turns attention to supplying vet medicines.
āAs a professional association we recognise we can play a useful role in connecting UK vets with Ukrainian veterinary professionals seeking refuge hereā ā BVA president Justine Shotton.
A full list of items that can be donated has been put together byĀ British Veterinary Professionals for Ukraine, which is still also welcoming cash donations.Ā
Following extensive lobbying, the Government has put in place emergency support measures to help people fleeing war-torn Ukraine bring their pets with them to the UK.
Nightly free CPD sessions were held for a week, with delegates attending from across the world and helping to raise money for UNICEF work in war-torn country.
