Living in a state of war

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has caused immeasurable suffering. "We want the world to know how the war has changed the life of Ukrainians and their pets," writes a press spokeswoman for Collar Company in her shocking report to the editorial team of PET worldwide on conditions in the war zone.
Collar Company is one of the leading companies in the Ukrainian pet supplies sector. The company is based in Chernihiv, a small city in the north of Ukraine close to the border with Russia and Belarus.
From the first day of the war, Chernihiv was subjected to heavy Russian shelling, reports the press spokeswoman of Collar Company. On 24 February, all employees of the company were instructed by the management to stay at home and do everything they could to secure their safety. The company's operations and production were stopped. "We will continue to provide pets with food and other essentials, and we will also take care of our staff and pay their wages so that our team can withstand these difficult times," says company founder Yuriy Sinitsa.
In spite of the Russian attacks, Collar's own stores remained open so that pet owners in Chernihiv had the chance to buy food for their pets. For those who sought refuge from the outset in the air raid shelters, Sinitsa and his team provided food packages at the entrances. Food was also donated to animal welfare shelters. After one of his pet stores was shelled, Sinitsa got the animals from the store to safety: 50 birds, 20 rats, three reptiles and 200 fish were moved out and survived. One store was destroyed in an air raid, while another was in the midst of heavy fighting. Following the destruction of a shopping centre in which one shop was located, looters stole all the goods remaining. The sports complex built by Collar, the Chernihiv Arena, was also partly destroyed by bombing and air strikes.
 

Birthday in an air raid shelter

When the war began, Sinitsa and his family decided to remain in Chernihiv. They had a water supply and diesel generator, and Sinitsa ran the company stores from his kitchen. After this was shelled, they moved into the cellar, where the whole family, including his nine-month-old daughter, spent two weeks sleeping on the floor. Wooden pallets and mattresses served as a bed for their pets, two cats and therapy dog Lilu. Sinitsa celebrated his 45th birthday underground in the air raid shelter.
Collar is currently doing everything possible to maintain contact with the team of staff numbering nearly 600 people, the Collar manager has written in her message to the editors of PET worldwide. 255 people remain in Chernihiv, while 160 have moved temporarily to the western part of Ukraine. 158 employees have not been able to be contacted to date. 19 have joined up with the forces to defend the country and safeguard Ukrainian independence. Ten have left the country. For the managing director of Collar, the safety of his staff is a priority. He aims to do his utmost to retain his team. He believes that Ukraine will survive, that the people will rebuild the destroyed buildings and homes and that Ukraine's economy and technology will recover after the war.
The Collar Company is working tirelessly for the people and pets of Ukraine. Anyone wishing to help them with this mission can contact the company via the company website collarglobal.com.