Cat Space is a Ukraine-based, registered non-profit organization, founded in May 2024. Although newly established, we have been dedicated to rescue and evacuation efforts since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Our primary focus includes the evacuation and rehabilitation of animals, particularly cats suffering from PTSD. Additionally, we extend humanitarian assistance to frontline communities, to the best of our capacity.

We view our work as an act of allyship, prioritizing the individuals, whom we assist – both human and non-human. Acknowledging our position of privilege, as our own homes have not been directly affected by military conflict, we understand that there is always room for growth and we continue learning. We believe in the importance of emotional self-care to keep us effective in our mission.

Petya (Founder/Director)
Prior to the war, Petya worked on animal rights campaigns with NGOs based in Central and Eastern Europe, as coordinator for Eastern Europe at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Germany.

When the war began, Petya arrived as a first responder, assisting refugees and their animals at the Polish-Ukrainian border in Medyka. From June 2022 until December 2023, Petya was part of the evacuation team of the Ukrainian animal rights organization UAnimals.

Yuri (co-founder)
After a rather eclectic beginning, 40+ years and ongoing beginning, I find myself in this project, Cat Space. “I find myself” is not just “I’m here doing this”, but as is finding who I am and what I want. What makes me be me, what makes sense for me. Cats, just like any other species and every individual, perceive the world, interact, react and are affected in different ways. With some empathy and experience, I aim to understand the needs of each traumatized individual cat, and provide what they need and want. Not to make them “better suited for adoption”, but to help them release the traumas and live a happy, fulfilling life. Whatever it means for each of us all, individuals.

Scott (volunteer)

Volunteering for a better world since his education began, Urquhart has travelled to various countries to
volunteer in his pursuit of justice. Never adhering to appease, kneel, or bootlick, Urquhart, in his own ways, has fought for the rights of living beings for the preservation of full autonomy.

In the first fall of the full scale invasion, when Russia began its genocide against Ukraine and its inhabitants, Urquhart found himself in this country, continuing on his
path of animal welfare activism and eventually becoming a part of the Cat Space team.