The area surrounding the Chernobyl Nuclear Powerplant is no longer as desolate as many would imagine, with 3,500 workers visiting the Exclusion Zone on a daily basis.
Chernobyl and nearby towns and cities are still unsafe to live in, and scientists believe it will be hundreds of years before levels of radiation return to normal levels.
But workers come and go from an area which is also home to thousands of stray animals.
Unknowing of the sensitivity of the area, the dogs roam freely in every part of the Chernobyl site – even the controlled indoor areas.
The dogs have been driven out of the woods by packs of wolves, and are seriously malnourished without enough food to support them in the barren Exclusion Zone.
Disaster
The Chernobyl Nuclear Powerplant, as depicted in a new HBO series, exploded 33 years ago and spread deadly radioactive substances into the surrounding environment.
The Soviet Union reacted by enforcing a 30km Exclusion Zone and evacuated 120,000 people from 189 cities.
Evacuees were not allowed to bring their pets with them as they were forced to move away from the area.
In 1986 soldiers were even sent into the zone to shoot and kill the animals in Pripyat, but it was impossible to round up and kill all of the dogs in surrounding cities and small communities.
Descendants of these pets, many of which died prematurely due to radiation poisoning, still remain in the area today.
The area has no animals older than 6 or 8 years old, and most of the dogs appear to be under 4-5 years old.
In need
The Chernobyl dogs are malnourished, have been exposed to rabies by wild predators in the zone, and are in dire need of medical attention.
In 2015 the Clean Futures Fund (CFF) is now doing all it can to help the dogs.
CFF estimates that over 250 stray dogs live around the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, over 225 stray dogs live in Chernobyl City, and hundreds of other dogs live at the various security checkpoints and roam throughout the exclusion zone.
The company explained: “Out of desperation the nuclear power plant has hired a worker to catch and kill the dogs, because they don’t have the funds available for any other option, but the worker is refusing to do so at this point.
“CFF needs your help to avoid this intolerable and inhumane outcome.”
The charity is raising funds to purchase vaccines, anesthesia and medical supplies necessary to spay and neuter over 500 animals.
The charity is currently in Chernobyl for the third year in a row for an intensive three-week project to spay, neuter and vaccinate stray dogs.
Donate to the charity here.
What do you think of this story? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Lifestyle
Vegan culture, food, beauty & more
81% of military personnel want plant-based meals, new survey reveals
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 27th June 2022
“As the US military continues to seek ways to best support the overall health and diverse needs of its loyal service members, we’re calling on lawmakers to require all branches of the military to provide plant-based MRE options.” The majority of US military members want vegan Meals, Ready to Eat (MRE), according to a new …
Continue reading “81% of military personnel want plant-based meals, new survey reveals”
One more vegan ad banned this week – this time for showing animals in distress
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 9th June 2022
The watchdog banned ads by Vegan Friendly UK and Tesco amid claims of gratuitous violence and misleading information. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned one more vegan TV ad this week over claims that it shows “graphic imagery and gratuitous violence” towards animals. This censure comes on the heels of the UK watchdog banning …
Continue reading “One more vegan ad banned this week – this time for showing animals in distress”
VEGAN MEMES
NEED A LAUGH?
QUIZZES
All the quizzes you love to binge!
QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert
- Marlon Farrugia
- 10th January 2020
How much vegan knowledge do you have stored away? Do you have to Google your way through a shopping trip, or do you have all the bad E-numbers memorised? Find out now with this quiz. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …
Continue reading “QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert”
QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 13th October 2019
Spook Season approaches. There will be ghosts, goblins, ghouls, and glucose. You need a costume, and you want to it to show off your personality, which means VEGAN. But what to choose? Take our quiz to find out your perfect outfit. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a …
Continue reading “QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?”
QUIZ: What kind of vegetable are you?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 26th September 2019
“If you were a vegetable, what kind would you be?” A question that has tormented humanity throughout the ages – until now. Read: QUIZ: If you score 19/20 on THIS quiz, you’re a Vegan God Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …