Since start of war in Ukraine, 471 pets have made aliyah

Published: 21 July 2023

Last updated: 5 March 2024

“I left everything behind in Odessa, so my cat is my only memory from my life there,” says Ukrainian Holocaust survivor who immigrated to Israel.

Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, 100 flights have landed in Israel with 5500 human immigrants and 471 pets: 234 cats, 236 dogs, and one chinchilla.

The 100th flight landed in Israel on Thursday carrying dozens of immigrants, brought to Israel through the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ).

Sensitive to the needs of the immigrants who have made the decision to flee their homes and completely change their world, the IFCJ also works to assist and fund the import of the immigrants' pets to Israel.

It helps obtain international passports for the animals, organise vaccinations, and provide and provide crates. Most flights go from Kyiv or Moldova but flight from those ports don’t allow pets over 8kg, so for larger pets the foundation ensures that the entire family, including the pet, is flown to Israel via Warsaw.

"We, at the IFCJ, are committed to bringing Jews home to Israel from anywhere in the world where they are in danger, and we will continue to do so whenever there is a need," said Yael Eckstein, president of the organisation.

“Sometimes we also need to be creative and especially sensitive, as in the case of immigrants who wish to come with their pets, which are an inseparable part of their family and provide comfort and stability. I am delighted that we can provide them the opportunity to stay together, here in Israel."

Ada Botenko, an 86-year-old Holocaust survivor, made aliyah from Odessa together with her cat, Ksusha. "I left everything behind in Odessa, so Ksusha is my only memory from my life there." Ada made aliyah to Israel together with her daughter to reunite with her granddaughter, who also brought their family dog, Riddick, a Scottish Terrier. "We couldn't leave them behind," she said.