Two Ukrainian Cats, the Harsh UK and French Health Regulations (for pets) and an Accidental French Cat Sitter

By heroically defending themselves against the savage aggression of Russia, Ukrainians have earned the western world's admiration.  As a true servant of the people, Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, has galvanized his people and his bravery (and bravado) have won the esteem of us jaded Westerners.  It is a significant change of perception, as Ukraine started from a low bar, the country was known for its entrenched corruption.  According to Transparency International's 2021 Corruption Perception Index, a scale of least to most corrupt nations, Ukraine ranked 122nd out of 180 countries.  Incidentally, at 136, Russia is Europe's most corrupt country.  To quote the Scriptures, Ukrainians redeem themselves by blood.  Ukraine's bravery has convinced the leaders of the so-called free world to support its fight, by among other things, sending weapons and helping refugees.  

The desperate but orderly exodus of whole families from their war-torn cities has been both heartbreaking and inspiring to watch. There is much to admire in the heroic resistance of the Ukrainian people; war exposes many truths, elating or appalling.  I am referring to the title of Eric Larson’s book The Splendid and the Vile on British Prime Minister Churchill’s inner circle and the Nazi’s top brass during the 1940-41 London Blitz.  I have just finished reading the book, and analogies between wars, past and present could not be ignored.  The invasion of Ukraine, this modern-day “rape” has powerfully and painfully magnified the “splendid” and “vile” sides of our two European neighbors.  Ukrainian people were seen fleeing their homes clutching kids, grandparents and pets.  It was an eye-opener to see how compassionate they are towards their pets.  This conflict has shown our profound human and animal bond.

It has not always been so.  At the outset of WWII, in September 1939, the citizens of London spontaneously set about killing their pets.  Some 400 000 dogs and cats, about  26% of London’s pets where slaughtered.  People were advised to euthanize their animals because the blackout prevented them from freely running at night.  Fortunately, soon people lamented their decision and the massacre stopped.  However, during the Blitz, fearing their escape, the zoos’ venomous snakes and many wild animals were put to death.

Some London cats were more equal than others! Consider Nelson, Churchill’s war time cat.  Born stray of undefined lineage, the cat’s strong personality (against intruding dogs) won Churchill’s affection.  He adopted him and named him after the famous admiral.  When Churchill became Prime Minister, Nelson moved to 10 Downing Street and was promoted Chief Mouser of the Cabinet office.  Chasing mice was neither Nelson’s prime function nor favored task; he was more often seen lounging on Churchill’s bed or accompanying him during weekends at Chequers, the Prime Minister’s country house.

Fearing the Russian soldiers, millions of mostly women and children were forced into exile with little resources.  Fellow Europeans showed an unsuspected solidarity and welcomed these asylum seekers with open arms' pets included.  One of these good Samaritans was the daughter of a close friend and her good deed motivated this blog.  She shared her Parisian apartment with a Ukrainian family on its way to London, where Vadim, the father, had found a job.  How Vadim managed to leave Ukraine has not been explained, but this is beside the point.  Vadim, Tania, Nikita and Plusha became her guests for a few days.  Now, they are in London except for Plusha who was not allowed to cross the English Channel. 

Plusha, which means stuffed toy in Ukrainian, is the family cat.  She will enjoy my friend’s daughter’s hospitality for at least another three months!  After surviving the ordeal of the car journey from Bucha to Paris, she now must face the punitive British and French pet immigration policy.  For the French authority, she is a stowaway! First, Plusha must have a rabies vaccine.  Thirty days later she needs a blood test to confirm that the vaccine has worked and wait another three months after the blood test! Plusha is certainly not lonely, my friend’s daughter has two cats and three sons.

In case Plusha feels homesick, she can get in touch with Stepan, another cat refugee and Ukraine’s most famous feline.  Thanks to his jaded posture and cool attitude, Stepan is a social media sensation with 1,2 m followers on Instagram.  He now lives peacefully in the south of France where he has raised £7,000 for charity.

                                                         Stepan's new French attitude