Radioactive Dogs in Chernobyl Are Finally Receiving Much-Needed Help
A recent viral video has shown that a certain group of dogs are getting the attention they need: the descendants of the dogs left behind in Chernobyl.
Following the 1986 explosion of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in northern Ukraine (what was at the time part of the USSR), many locals in the nearby town of Pripyat and other surrounding areas were required to evacuate. In the process, many were forced to leave their pets behind either because they believed they’d be able to return for them later, or because of the government’s advice to leave them behind because of the fact that their fur could easily absorb radiation.
In any case, those animals left behind were mostly executed by dispatched soldiers following the evacuation. However, some of them survived, and now hundreds of dogs that roam the areas surrounding Chernobyl are believed to be the descendents of those abandoned pets. www.cruisincanines.com
Following the 1986 explosion of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in northern Ukraine (what was at the time part of the USSR), many locals in the nearby town of Pripyat and other surrounding areas were required to evacuate. In the process, many were forced to leave their pets behind either because they believed they’d be able to return for them later, or because of the government’s advice to leave them behind because of the fact that their fur could easily absorb radiation.
In any case, those animals left behind were mostly executed by dispatched soldiers following the evacuation. However, some of them survived, and now hundreds of dogs that roam the areas surrounding Chernobyl are believed to be the descendents of those abandoned pets. www.cruisincanines.com
Saving the Puppies of Chernobyl
A recent documentary called “Puppies of Chernobyl,” directed by filmmaker Drew Scanlon and uploaded to YouTube, shows several groups of puppies and adult dogs living in Chernobyl’s exclusion zone, which covers a 1,000-square-mile stretch of land around the power plant.
Access to the exclusion zone is extremely limited, only allowing power plant workers, tourists, and certain other authorized individuals in—all under tight government control only. On the other hand, several hundred people have moved back into their villages over the past few decades against government orders. www.cruisincanines.com/areas-served/lakeview-chicago-dog-walkers/
Scanlon discloses in the documentary that he was unable to pet any of the puppies because of the radioactive particles in their fur, but locals are still doing what they can to provide proper care for these dogs.
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Access to the exclusion zone is extremely limited, only allowing power plant workers, tourists, and certain other authorized individuals in—all under tight government control only. On the other hand, several hundred people have moved back into their villages over the past few decades against government orders. www.cruisincanines.com/areas-served/lakeview-chicago-dog-walkers/
Scanlon discloses in the documentary that he was unable to pet any of the puppies because of the radioactive particles in their fur, but locals are still doing what they can to provide proper care for these dogs.
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The Clean Futures Fund
The Clean Futures Fund is a nonprofit devoted to providing help for communities in the wake of industrial accidents. The fund is now leading a five-year plan to neuter and spay the local cats and dogs, followed by setting up food and water stations along with a veterinary clinic to provide care for the animals.
The fund’s plan kicked off over the summer, and involves partnering with local veterinarians and other volunteers. Other organizations in the Ukraine, United States, the UK and Germany are also involved. groovycatsndogs.com/best-tips-to-improve-your-dog-walks/
The dogs have recently suffered because of a lack of water and food, along with local predators that have steadily hunted them down over the years in the absence of people. Because of these threats, it’s rare to see fully grown dogs instead of a rash of puppies.
The fund’s plan kicked off over the summer, and involves partnering with local veterinarians and other volunteers. Other organizations in the Ukraine, United States, the UK and Germany are also involved. groovycatsndogs.com/best-tips-to-improve-your-dog-walks/
The dogs have recently suffered because of a lack of water and food, along with local predators that have steadily hunted them down over the years in the absence of people. Because of these threats, it’s rare to see fully grown dogs instead of a rash of puppies.
Eliminating the Threat of Radiation and Keeping Puppies Safer
It’s difficult to control the canine population in the exclusion zone, as people in the zone are heavily restricted in where they can go because of the radiation, but the puppies travel all over indiscriminately.
Even though volunteers aren’t technically allowed to pet the dogs because of the radiation levels in their fur, many still do as there is a reported minimal threat these days. Apart from radiation, many of the dogs do carry rabies due to rabid local wildlife, and treating it is tough for these elusive animals. sweetpetshop.net/6-tips-for-dog-walkers/
Ultimately, the Clean Future Fund hopes to more effectively control the local population so they can grow into healthy adults and potentially find homes one day outside of the exclusion zone.
Even though volunteers aren’t technically allowed to pet the dogs because of the radiation levels in their fur, many still do as there is a reported minimal threat these days. Apart from radiation, many of the dogs do carry rabies due to rabid local wildlife, and treating it is tough for these elusive animals. sweetpetshop.net/6-tips-for-dog-walkers/
Ultimately, the Clean Future Fund hopes to more effectively control the local population so they can grow into healthy adults and potentially find homes one day outside of the exclusion zone.