Galaxy Vets, the first employee co-owned veterinary healthcare system in the US, launched a non-profit arm — Galaxy Vets Foundation.
With a mission to improve access to care for underserved communities, prevent economic euthanasia and provide animal disaster and humanitarian response solutions, Galaxy Vets Foundation is prioritising its efforts in Ukraine. It is now raising funds and collecting supplies to deliver to the areas in greatest need. There are three ways to help: financially, by donating supplies, or by volunteering telehealth services.
“Ukraine is my motherland. We want to aid the best way we know how – helping animals,” Dr Ivan Zak, CEO of Galaxy Vets, said. “Russia’s barbaric invasion murders thousands of people, wipes out entire cities and forces millions to flee their homes in search of safety. As savage shelling leaves whole families without a roof, thousands of pets become homeless and in desperate need of food, shelter and veterinary care.
“Blocked from humanitarian aid, animals in zoos are freezing, starving, and dying. Shelters, veterinary clinics, and volunteers are striving to save every life but they are running out of resources and need support. We encourage individuals and organisations to donate to this good cause. This war is not just about the future of Ukraine. It is about the future of humanity.”
Galaxy Vets Foundation will also provide free telehealth services to aid the people impacted by the war and the animals in their care. It is now seeking veterinarians and veterinary nurses who are willing to spare any amount of time to volunteer for this good cause.
“We thoroughly assessed all the information we could get. We talked with volunteers, zoos, pet owners and veterinarians in Ukraine to understand the need and the gaps we could fill,” Andrew Ciccolini, Galaxy Vets Foundation director, said. “Currently, there is an acute shortage of funding and resources, primarily medications, pet food and supplies. Lack of access to veterinary care and professional advice on pet health is another issue we will address by providing free multi-lingual telehealth services and informational resources on our website. We want to ensure continuity of veterinary care in these difficult times.”
Dr Lowell Ackerman, vice president of global veterinary strategy at Galaxy Vets, is leading the Galaxy Vets Foundation’s efforts to help compile needed resources for Ukrainian pet owners and other caregivers – not only in Ukraine – but in neighboring countries that are providing aid to displaced Ukrainian citizens and their pets.
“Poland, a central European country adjacent to Ukraine, has seen the greatest influx of people and pets from Ukraine, and they have been phenomenally welcoming, as well as being extremely generous with their services and their hospitality,” Lowell said. “And other countries in the region, such as Romania, Slovakia, Moldova, and Hungary have similarly responded to the crisis with great humanity and resolve. We, and others around the world, hope to further support those efforts through our own initiatives in this unprecedented time of need.”
Lowell Ackerman is working with international veterinary groups and individuals to create a resource center for pet caregivers that provides needed information for those caring for pets. These efforts cannot be accomplished without widespread international cooperation, and Galaxy Vets Foundation would like to acknowledge the substantial ongoing contributions of our global partners. Together, they hope to make a difference for Ukrainian pets, and the people who love and care for them.
Donate or sign up to volunteer at the Galaxy Vets Foundation website.
About Galaxy Vets Foundation
Galaxy Vets Foundation is a non-profit arm of Galaxy Vets. Its mission is to preserve the human-animal bond and enhance animal welfare throughout the world. In pursuit of this mission, it will improve access to care for underserved communities, reduce or eliminate economic euthanasia and provide animal disaster and humanitarian response solutions. The Galaxy Vets Foundation 501c3 status is pending final approval. Learn more and contribute via their website.
About Galaxy Vets
Galaxy Vets is the first employee co-owned veterinary healthcare system in the U.S. With a mission to give veterinary medicine back to veterinarians, Galaxy Vets allocates equity in the organisation to its employees — veterinarians, specialists, technicians, administrative staff and relief workforce — making them co-owners of and shareholders in the entire network. Driven by the purpose to make a significant impact on the industry, Galaxy Vets designs its culture around burnout prevention and takes a data-driven approach to foster employee satisfaction and work-life balance. Learn more on the Galaxy Vets website.
