Help Provided for the Forgotten Dogs of Chernobyl
An Animal Rights Article from All-Creatures.org

FROM

Four Paws
February 2018

FOUR PAWS vaccinated and neutered 120 stray dogs within the exclusion zone. The explosion of Reactor 4 of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant on April 26th, 1986, is regarded as one of the worst nuclear catastrophes in history. Over 120,000 people from 189 towns and villages within the 19-mile exclusion zone, the prohibited area set-up around the disaster, had to evacuate. Many pets were left behind – most of them dogs.

Chernobyl Dog
© FOUR PAWS | Tomas Halasz

FOUR PAWS vaccinated and neutered 120 stray dogs within the exclusion zone.

The explosion of Reactor 4 of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant on April 26th, 1986, is regarded as one of the worst nuclear catastrophes in history. Over 120,000 people from 189 towns and villages within the 19-mile exclusion zone, the prohibited area set-up around the disaster, had to evacuate.

Chernobyl Dogs
© FOUR PAWS | Tomas Halasz

Thirty years later, hundreds of stray dogs live inside the exclusion zone. FOUR PAWS worked with the nonprofit organization Clean Futures Fund (CFF) to provide rabies vaccinations, medical treatment, and neutering services to 120 dogs living within the exclusion zone. By doing so, the strays and consequently the workers at the nuclear power plant are better protected against rabies. Additionally, the population of the dogs will be reduced in the long-term, which in turn will improve their overall welfare.

Rabies is not only a risk for animals but also for humans

Descendants of the abandoned dogs of Chernobyl currently wander the nuclear power plant near the Ukrainian ghost town, Prypjat. Due to wild animals who also live within the exclusion zone, the stray dogs are often infected with rabies, posing a risk to people who work at the plant.

Four Paws Chernobyl
© FOUR PAWS | Tomas Halasz

By vaccinating the stray dogs, we are also protecting the 3,500 nuclear power plant workers who come into contact with the dogs and look after them. By neutering the strays, we will also achieve a long-term reduction in their population, improving the welfare of the dogs. This is important because their chances of survival are greatly reduced if their numbers increase due to lack of food and shelter in the extremely cold winters.

International cooperation

CFF put together an international veterinary team, which carried out the medical treatment of the stray dogs of Chernobyl. To contribute, FOUR PAWS not only sent an experienced vet but also provided some medicine and veterinary equipment needed to complete the project.

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