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Urgent Action Needed

Every year there are around 5,000 cases of rabies in the US, and in the past 8 years there have only been 4 cases of rabies from imported dogs. The CDC put out a new ruling that will make it virtually impossible for individuals or responsible non-profits to help dogs overseas on account of preventing the spread of rabies.

Please join Sochi Dogs and our international rescue partners to speak out and oppose these new rules!

Click the link comment before Sept 8: https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/CDC-2023-0051-0001

SAMPLE LETTER:

Dear Ashley C. Altenburger, J.D.,

I’m an animal lover and am writing today to oppose the proposed ruling, “Control of Communicable Disease; Foreign Quarantine: Importation of Dogs and Cats.”

I support the CDC’s intention to protect the United States against additional rabies cases, however, I do not agree that hardening the rules on dog importation is the way to achieve this goal. According to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, there are approximately 5,000 confirmed cases of rabies in animals in the United States and the vast majority are found in wildlife. Why harden the rules on dog importation, especially for responsible non-profits and individuals?

Non-profit organizations in the United States and individuals go to extraordinary lengths to rescue dogs from wars and climate disasters around the world. We should not close our doors to this work but instead, continue to make it safe and feasible for it to continue. In 2020 dogs accounted for just 1% (36) of all rabies cases in the US. In the past eight years, there have only been 4 cases of rabies from imported dogs.

The new proposed laws are unclear and an overstep. They burden nonprofit rescue organizations and private individuals with extreme costs and requirements that are nearly impossible to achieve for those working in war-torn countries like Ukraine.

I strongly ask the agency to reconsider these proposed measures and refocus their efforts on rabies prevention to wildlife and livestock where regulations are truly needed to stop the disease in the United States.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]

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Anna Umansky

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Supporting Ukrainian Animal Rescues

Sochi Dogs is continuing to provide life-changing support for dogs and cats abandoned during the war in Ukraine.

In June, we partnered with an animal shelter in Malchivtsi, a small Ukrainian village. Shelter volunteer Svitlana reached out to us, asking for our help with caring for their 29 dogs and 54 cats. The animals urgently needed wet and dry food and various types of medicine.

Sochi Dogs worked with Svitlana to figure out a plan. We decided to prioritize spaying and neutering the animals in her care, in addition to providing much-needed food and medical materials.

Over the next 1.5 months, we got the project off the ground. We found a local vet clinic that could send someone out to the shelter and coordinated with the clinic's director every step of the way.

Sochi Dogs funded food, vaccinations, and deworming medications for all 83 animals at the shelter. So far, we have also provided sterilization, microchipping, and passports for 13 dogs and 6 cats.

Volunteers in Malchivtsi are continuing to work tirelessly to care for the animals at the shelter, as well as local stray dogs and cats. If you would like to support their efforts and similar spay/neuter projects, please consider making a donation to Sochi Dogs here.

 
 
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Anna Umansky

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Mitya finds his Forever Home!

After losing his family in Ukraine, struggling at the shelter, and undergoing extensive veterinary care, Mitya is now thriving in his wonderful forever home!

Last winter, eight-year-old Mitya's life was turned upside down when his home in Ukraine was destroyed and his family was killed in the shelling. Mitya was found alone on the street and taken to a dog shelter in Cherkasy. In the shelter, Mitya was upset and disoriented. Unlike the barking and jumping dogs around him, he sat in the corner, head down, as he struggled to adjust to his new surroundings.

 
 

Sochi Dogs heard about Mitya's story and knew we had to get him out of the shelter. With all of your help, we did!

Mitya flew to the US and moved to a temporary foster home in New Jersey, where he started to undergo extensive treatment for heartworm. As he spent more time with his foster family, he started to relax and settle into his new routines -- daily walks, soaking up the sun, and sleeping on a soft, comfortable bed. He even started to play with toys!

In June, after months of treatment, Mitya found his perfect forever home in Pennsylvania. Now, he loves to explore his new backyard, play with fuzzy squeaky toys, take naps in his favorite spots around the house, and relax with his new adoptive sister, Plusha. In photos, he always has a big smile on his face.

Mitya's new family says, "We are so thankful to have him here with us. We are also very grateful for the work that Sochi Dogs does for everyone, finding homes, finding just the right people, and caring for all of the dogs."

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Anna Umansky

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Behind the scenes with #CBS3 and @stahlcbs3 . Our awesome adopters Nicole and Dan, their dogs Luna and Solei are joining us to speak out against the new CDC legislation that will ostensibly ban rescue dogs from Ukraine!

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Anna Umansky