Dr. Cliff Redford is a passionate veterinarian who travels the world helping animals. With his experience volunteering around the world, he knew he had to go to Ukraine when the brutal war began.
Dr. Cliff owns a veterinary practice in Ontario, Canada, but his love for his work knows no bounds. He has traveled to countries including Egypt, India, Jamaica, and now Poland and Ukraine.
Dr. Cliff not only travels to areas of the world that need veterinary help, but his daughter also rides with him. Emily is currently training to be a veterinary technician, but she has been her father’s trusted assistant in many of his adventures.
As the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine began to spread, Dr. Cliff immediately contacted an animal organization currently operating on the Polish border. He had planned to leave for Poland for the week, and he knew his daughter Emily would be the perfect person to go with him.
Emily was backpacking around Europe when she received a call from her father asking her to get on a plane and meet him in Poland. These two never shy away from an adventure, so it’s an easy answer for veterinary technicians in training.
Some have questioned Dr. Cliff’s decision to send his daughter to Poland and Ukraine, but both say how important this mission is to each. Emily is also 21 now and has seen the world more than most, so the two know they can stay together and get things done.
From the moment the two met on the Polish border, it was time to get to work! The Polish border is an evacuation point for Ukrainian citizens and their pets, and many of them require grueling post-duty treatment to get to safety. There are rows of tents set up to take care of anyone in need, each filled with skilled volunteers delivering aid.
Many dogs crossing the border are dehydrated, hungry, exhausted, injured, and traumatized. Many have accompanied their owners for days, witnessing the same traumatic events as others.
“We see mostly exposure to the elements, hunger and dehydration. There were several animals with burns and lacerations and one with a bullet in the spine. ” – Dr. Cliff
Once these pets reached the stations on the Polish border, it was time for the veterinary team to step in and offer their skilled assistance. This includes providing fluids for dehydrated pets, caring for any wounds or lacerations, providing food and water to fill their bellies, sweaters for cold animals, and vaccinations. for pets so that they can be accepted to other countries.
For two weeks, Dr. Cliff and Emily have worked days with limited resources, but their mission is about to get more intense. They were about to drive to Lviv, Ukraine, to deliver supplies and provide veterinary care to one of the shelters in the city.
Dr Cliff describes the experience of driving into Ukraine as completely surreal. The photos and videos of his journey highlight the devastation this country has endured and the trauma each person and animal will experience as time goes on.
Thankfully for everyone on this journey, they made it to a safe and stable shelter in Lviv and dropped 500 lbs of animal feed. The shelter currently cares for more than 300 animals, 150 of which have been relocated since the war began.
We are beginning to not be able to imagine how difficult this task must have been for Drs Cliff and Emily, but they still describe the experience as heartwarming and inspiring.
Dr. Cliff has now returned to work in Canada, but he continues to advocate for numerous organizations on the ground in Ukraine and surrounding borders. He is still raising funds and raising awareness for the many animal advocates he has worked with, and he may even return to Ukraine and Poland in the following months to offer more help. than.
“We are still trying to get the attention of the Canadian airline that is sending a cargo plane to Poland and back with 100 dogs and 50 cats. We have support from federal, provincial and municipal politicians as well as the OVMA. We just need a ride.” – Dr. Cliff
Dr. Cliff is also trying to arrange a flight from Poland to Canada for 150 animals, and he is working to get the attention of Air Canada and any other organizations that may be able to help. If you want to follow his work in the future, we urge you to follow his Facebook here.
Other veterinarians currently working in Ukraine or at the Polish border include Dr. Lachlan Campbell and Dr. Andrew Kushnir. You can update their work on Instagram.
Thank you Dr. Cliff and Emily, for your bravery and dedication to the many hairy friends around the world!
