Urgent appeal to support medical colleagues in Ukraine
British Veterinary Professionals for Ukraine aims to deliver urgent human and animal medical supplies to the Ukranian border.
An urgent appeal has been launched to help both human and animal medics working on the Ukrainian front line.
The newly-formed British Veterinary Professionals for Ukraine says it would be keen to hear from companies who can donate or subsidise medical supplies, as well as financial donations, for direct delivery to Ukraine.
Formed by UK vet and second-generation Ukrainian Antonina (Nina) Babchuk, the group is working with the Ukrainian Medical Association to establish direct links with vets and doctors working in the war zone, and is sending supplies direct to where they are most needed.
Nina commented: “We see horrific scenes on the television every day, and when we hear from vets and medics on the ground that they don’t have the supplies they need, what can we do but try and get those supplies to them?
“We have been collecting physical donations from across the UK and are now establishing ways people can buy medical supplies in the UK that we take out to Ukraine. I am humbled by the support we have been receiving from vets in the UK, but there is so much more that they need out there.”
Equine vet Till Hoermann recently completed the 2,500-mile round trip to the Ukrainian border after being inspired to fill his own van with veterinary supplies donated by his practice and that of other equine vets.
Till said: “After listening to an interview with doctors from the Ukrainian Medical Association on Radio 5 Live, I started to ask myself, what could I do to help? I realised a lot of the mobile veterinary equipment that we use out on the road may be useful for them, so I started to make my plan.
“Through other contacts we have made, we know exactly what they want and how to get it there. We have a warehouse just off the A1 that will act as a central collection hub, and from there, supplies will go into Ukraine via a distribution centre in Poland.”
British Veterinary Professionals for Ukraine is being supported by the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) and Veterinary Voices UK.
BEVA president-elect David Rendle said: “Initially I think we were all shocked and didn’t know if there was anything we could do that would have a tangible effect. However, through direct contact with medics and vets in Ukraine, we now know that they need our help, especially through the provision of emergency medical equipment and consumable items.
“It is clear that the veterinary profession can make a difference by providing direct support, so I would urge everyone to do what they can to get behind this.”
A list of equipment and consumables needed by Ukraine is available on the group’s Facebook page.
Vets wishing to donate medical supplies can send them to British Veterinary Professionals for Ukraine c/o Hoermann Equine, Wrights Lodge East, Oakham, Road, Whissendine, Rutland, LE15 7HA.
A fundraising page has also been set up at gofund.me The group will purchase supplies based on what is most needed in Ukraine at the time.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
