Over the past few weeks, Andrea Cisternino, who is in charge of a Ukraine rescue, has shown that he is willing to go heroic lengths to help animals in need. According to BarkPost, the Italian native and his wife have dedicated their lives to helping furry friends.

While speaking to Euro News in January 2022, Cisternino shared that he began calling Ukraine his home in 2009. He initially worked as a photographer but “then [he] decided to build an animal shelter.”

“Many things changed - my life changed. It is an animal shelter that was initially for dogs, then also other animals, like horses,” shared Cisternino.

Following the Russian invasion in February 2022, Cisternino made the difficult decision to stay with his rescue’s 400 animals. In a Facebook post, uploaded on February 24, the former photographer proclaimed that he “decided that [he] can DIE HERE for [his] animals.” He also shared that there was a “bombing,” as well as “artillery shots” near his rescue in Kyiv, Ukraine. 

“You can feel in the distance some plane engine or a helicopter passed over the shelter now. Whatever the noise we should be careful, we live with anxiety but we try to be positive,” asserted Cisternino.

The animal lover shared more information about his situation with his Facebook followers the following day. 

“This morning the sky around the Refuge was red, continuous artillery firing even through the night, can't sleep, I saw 15 minutes ago an artillery shot falling far from the Refuge but I could smell the gunpowder well I heard military columns in the distance they moved, planes flew by, may God help us and curse those who wanted to start all this,” wrote Cisternino. 

Over the past few days, the animal advocate has not been posting on social media, which has concerned his devoted followers. Fortunately, his friend, Anna Raimondi, has been sharing information about Cisternino on Facebook. On March 8, 2022, she asserted that Cisternino, his wife, and the rescue animals “are all fine. “

“The night was heavy as there were bombings close enough to the rocket shelter....... Then around the morning the situation calmed down a bit. Food supplies are still there, of course, animals eat once a day, but that's okay... Let's repeat that food aid can't come in because at least now, the roads are impractical. We are all close to you Andrea, to your volunteers who are with you, and to all the Ukrainian people who are fighting,” shared Raimondi.

You are in our thoughts, Andrea Cisternino! We appreciate all that you have done and continue to do for animals.