Courageous Cat In Ukraine Survives Months Without Food And Water And Becomes A Symbol of Hope For The People

She was saved thanks to the efforts of a journalist, an animal rescue group, and firefighters.

May

• Published in Animal Stories
• June 7, 2022

The destruction caused by the continuing Russia-Ukraine war severely impacted the daily lives of Ukrainians and their beloved pets. More than five million people evacuated the beautiful country to survive.

People who decided to stay have to 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 those people.

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 and 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 was shelled and destroyed in March.

In other words, the courageous feline pulled through 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.

But Katya was compelled to do something for the poor furball so she shared her discovery online. She used social media in the hopes that someone capable can help the feline.

Once Kibets saw the post, he had his team get to work instantly.

His team used a drone to see a clearer view of the seventh floor. They were delighted upon discovering that the cat is alive.

Even with matted fur and a malnourished body, she was able to survive. Since the high-rise no longer has structural integrity it is bound to collapse.

The Zoo Patrol team also knew that they would need help from the local fire department and so they approached it. 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 the crane and luckily the cat responded by climbing into their arms. Then she was 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's still relatively healthy. The veterinarian also estimated that Shafa is around fifteen years old based on the 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 finally safe in the loving home of her human, who's ready to give her 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, 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.

May