After the invasion of Ukraine, Emily flew into the war-torn country with a mission to help abandoned, disabled dogs
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has upended innumerable lives, not just of humans but also of animals. Innocent animals have been placed in terrible peril, ranging from pets removed from their homes to zoo animals left to struggle in conflict zones.
Fortunately, there are those who are willing to assist. One example is a woman from the United States who travelled to Ukraine to rescue injured canines.
Emily Franco, a 27-year-old from Monroe, Connecticut, traveled to Ukraine two weeks after Russia invaded with the intention of assisting injured pets in the war-torn nation.
"I felt a call in my gut to come here," Emily told the Stamford Advocate.
Emily, who is originally from Scotland, has prior experience working with impaired dogs, having previously worked with Special Needs Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Northeast and being recognized for her compassion for animals in need. Four elderly cats and two special needs dogs are among her pets.
"The catastrophe in Ukraine is terrible, and it comes as no surprise to me that Emily traveled there to help the people and animals," said SNARR Northeast founder Courtney Bellew.
Emily travelled to Europe, purchased a car and trailer, and has been travelling into Ukraine to rescue abandoned and crippled puppies, transporting them across the border to safety. Emily is one of the only persons watching out for these particular canines, which is challenging and risky work.
Emily told the Advocate, "I exclusively rescue injured pets." "Many organizations do not — and if they do, it's one in a hundred."
Emily travelled to Europe, purchased a car and trailer, and has been travelling into Ukraine to rescue abandoned and crippled puppies, transporting them across the border to safety. Emily is one of the only persons watching out for these particular canines, which is challenging and risky work.
Emily told the Advocate, "I exclusively rescue injured pets." "Many organizations do not — and if they do, it's one in a hundred."
Unfortunately, Emily is nearing the conclusion of her assignment and will have to return to the United States. During a recent rescue attempt, her car was also damaged.
Unfortunately, Emily is nearing the conclusion of her assignment and will have to return to the United States. During a recent rescue attempt, her car was also damaged.
Even though her goal is over, she may be proud of the dogs she assisted along the road. According to a post on PA Caring Hearts, she drove 18 hours each way to "give him a chance at a better life" after saving a dog who had been wounded in the spine by a Russian soldier.
Emily may be heading home, but her activism for Ukraine's animals will not stop. Traveling around the world and spending so much time in a combat zone is definitely going above and above to assist.
"Emily has a really unusual heart that guides and motivates her to truly connect with abandoned animals, those disregarded, or even humans who look at them as ghosts — they don't even see them," her husband, Christopher Franco, told the Stamford Advocate.
Emily, thank you for everything you do to aid injured pets in Ukraine! What a thoughtful thing to do, to look out for individuals who have no one.
If you want to aid Emily's quest to save dogs, you may give through Paypal at emilyfrancorescue@gmail.com.
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