Courageous Cat In Ukraine Survives Months Without Food And Water And Becomes A Symbol of Hope For The People
The destruction caused by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war has severely impacted the daily lives of Ukrainians and their beloved pets. More than five million people evacuated the beautiful country to survive.
Those who decided to stay must brave the seemingly unending fight against the aggressor and restore their country to its former glory. The members of a group called The Zoo Patrol are among these individuals.
Its mission is to save pets abandoned during difficult times. Spearheading the fearless organization is Eugene Kibets, who gained international attention after planning the rescue of a brave feline named Shafa.
The cat became a household name in the war-torn country. Her survival tale, along with her endurance and courage, made headlines in media outlets globally.
People found Shafa on the seventh floor of a high-rise building located in Borodyanka. Here's the catch: it had been shelled and destroyed in March.
In other words, the courageous feline survived without water or food for nearly two months. It was a Kyiv journalist named Katya who initially discovered Shafa.
Her team went to the suburbs to cover a story. In the beginning, they didn't know if Shafa was still alive.
However, Katya felt compelled to do something for the poor furball, so she shared her discovery online. She used social media in the hopes that someone capable could help the feline.
Once Kibets saw the post, he had his team get to work instantly.
His team used a drone to get a clearer view of the seventh floor. They were delighted to discover that the cat was alive.
Even with matted fur and a malnourished body, she had managed to survive. Since the high-rise no longer had structural integrity, it was bound to collapse.
The Zoo Patrol team also knew that they would need help from the local fire department, so they approached them. The officers agreed to cooperate and headed to the building where Shafa was trapped.
The operation was risky both for the rescuers and Shafa, but it succeeded.
Two brave firefighters approached Shafa using a crane, and luckily, the cat responded by climbing into their arms. She was then finally brought to Kibets for further care.
He cried tears of joy while giving Shafa an embrace. The malnourished cat was given some water and placed in a cat carrier to be taken to the emergency vet.
According to the vet, although the cat suffered from malnourishment and dehydration, she was still relatively healthy. The veterinarian also estimated that Shafa was around fifteen years old based on her dental structure.
The team who helped Shafa.
At the hospital, she was finally given the name Shafa, which means wardrobe or cabinet.
It was inspired by the image of a cabinet that made the rounds online for withstanding a strong shelling by the Russian military. Considering what Shafa went through, it is indeed a fitting name for her.
After Shafa recuperated from her condition, she was finally brought home by Kibets. She is now safe in the loving home of her human, who is ready to provide her with food, water, and all the cuddles she needs.
Shafa became a symbol of hope for the people of Ukraine.
Shafa's story inspired various Ukrainian artists.
They created artworks portraying the brave cat as a Ukrainian soldier. In some of the illustrations, you can see Shafa fighting against Putin and his soldiers.
A Ukrainian summarized the legacy of Shafa by saying that each moment the citizens show their strength, love, and devotion for each other and their pets, Putin can never destroy the hearts and souls of the people of Ukraine.
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