by In Trieste
50 dogs and cats left behind in war-torn Ukraine have arrived in Milan after being transported to Italy by the National Animal Protection Agency (ENPA).
The 43 dogs and seven cats – all of which were family pets with a microchip, passport and vaccine log book – were rescued, one by one, by volunteers in Kyiv before being collected by ENPA on the Ukrainian border and driven to Italy.
The animals’ arrival in Italy on Thursday came after special permission was granted by health minister Roberto Speranza, reports newspaper La Stampa, with a veterinarian joining ENPA to provide assistance to the pets during the long journey to Milan.
Before the Russian invasion all the animals “had a family, a home”, said ENPA president Carla Rocchi, “The war has deprived them of everything, we will give them back the life they deserve.”
La Stampa lists some of the animals’ names: Monika, Hanna, Muha, Dasha, Luntik, Rudi, Smurf, Nona, Linda, Knopa, Mimi, Chloe, Luna, Rich, Vita, Chita, Lola, Bobo and Eva.
