For more than three decades, Chernobyl was primarily kept deserted after its nuclear plant disaster. It’s the only accident in history involving commercial nuclear power that recorded radiation-related fatalities.
While all residents living in and near the area were evacuated, some dogs were left behind. And today, descendants of those abandoned canines number in the hundreds. They still live and roam the exclusion site.
14 puppies from that area will now have the chance to have a happy and safe life. They will be the first dogs from the evacuation zone that will move to the U.S. since the terrible incident in 1986.
A harsh existence
Most of these homeless dogs depend on the few people that have decided to go back into the zone. Some are power plant workers that are doing odd jobs around the plant. These people provide food and care for the stray pups, especially when the winter season rolls in. As the dogs do not have permanent shelters, they are exposed to extreme weather and attacks from wild animals.
Studies have shown that the radiation isn’t having any significant effect on their health. But because of their lack of nourishment and care, most of the dogs only live for around six years.
Changing lives
A nonprofit animal charity organization, Clean Futures Fund, heard about their plight and organized a fundraising campaign to help the poor dogs. They set up makeshift animal clinics near the power plants with the money they raised. They then round up the canines, take tests and treat them for any medical issues they may have. They also spay or neuter them to prevent their population from rising.
Clean Futures Fund doesn’t have any funds to take them all out of the area yet. But for 14 of those dogs, their new life is about to happen. Hopefully, many people will extend their generosity so that more of those homeless pups will find a better future.
Source: Clean Futures Fund via Facebook
