Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/veterinarian-adopts-ukrainian-cat-madame-george/

Over 11 million people have fled Ukraine, many with their pets, and headed to bordering countries for safety. While the owners arrive hungry and exhausted their main concern is their pet’s wellbeing. They head to the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) veterinary tent to have their beloved cats and dogs examined.

Licensed veterinarians and volunteers are available 24/7 to exam and treat pets and provide much-needed reassurance to the worried pet owners that their dog or cat will be fine.

Dr. Julie Ryan Johnson, a Greater Good Charities board member and volunteering veterinarian, told us about her time at the Ukrainian-Polish border and how she returned to the United States with a new furry companion.

She said her experience was incredibly rewarding and recalled how people and pets arrived around the clock for help. “My job was to help get the pets that had come through the border gate ready for the next leg of their journey. Some of the dogs and cats had not eaten or had been drinking enough water due to their travels, and many were just plain exhausted. We would get them to eat and rehydrate, bandage sore paws etc.,” she said.

Pet owners also received essential pet supplies like leashes, harnesses, pet carriers, and food before continuing on their journey. Ukrainian high schoolers volunteered as translators and worked long hours alongside the veterinarians to help those in need.

“The Ukrainians were so stoic but you could tell how much they loved their animals and how their pets played a role in their emotional health. As heart breaking as their stories were, the Ukrainian high school students who served as our translators stayed upbeat and helpful the whole time,” recalled Dr. Julie.

One woman’s tragic story touched the heart of the vet who had to step up and help.

After a long and harrowing journey out of the war-torn country a woman arrived in Poland with seven cats. Her building went up in flames and she managed to escape with all her beloved cats. Sadly, the poor woman was only able to take one cat with her to her next destination. After she made the difficult decision, she spent several minutes crying as she said goodbye to her feline friends. IFAW took the remaining cats and found them loving homes.

Dr. Julie met the handsome 4-year-old Norwegian Forest Cat and instantly fell in love with him. She decided right away to adopt him. She said with tears in her eyes, “He’ll always remind me of my trip here.”

She is so glad she was there and able to give one of the cats a loving home.

Madame George, as he was later named by Dr. Julie’s husband, made the long flight home with his new mom and is reportedly setting in well in his new home.

“He was reluctant to eat and a little scared at first but now is extremely comfortable and loves tucking into his food and everyone else’s. He sleeps with the dogs, and he is mastering Gus the Bengal’s complicated personality,” shared Dr. Julie.

Learn how Madame George got his name in the video below.

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“All those small acts of kindness is what really, really made a difference to the Ukrainian people that were coming through,” stated Dr. Julie.

She was honored to go and represent Greater Good Charities who is responding to the Ukraine crisis through ground support, distribution of food and essential supplies, deployment of licensed veterinarians and activation of pet foster software to help displaced pets.

But none of this would be possible without your support. Donate now to help feed and care for the people and pets of Ukraine.

See all the ways Greater Good Charities is helping here.

Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog