The Story of Daryna and Nora
Daryna Dziubak, a resident of Kyiv, purchased a fennec fox from a petting zoo to give it a new life. She now cares for the fox, named Nora, in her apartment alongside her other pets: three cats and an owl named King. The rescue process was challenging, but Daryna believed the €250 price for Nora's freedom was a worthwhile investment. Fennec foxes are small desert foxes known for their large ears, and they are not typical domestic pets.
Daryna described the poor conditions she witnessed at the zoo:
"When we arrived at that zoo, there were many cages with raccoons, owls, and foxes. They were not only for sale but also exploited for photo sessions. Nora was poorly fed and kept in a state of fear." - Daryna Dziubak
After the purchase, Daryna gradually built trust with the nocturnal fox. "After about three days, I was able to pick her up. A couple of weeks later, she came to me on her own, climbed onto my chest, lay down like a scarf, and started sniffing at my ear. I cried from happiness then," the woman recalled.
Nora's diet consists of:
- chicks
- insects
- vegetables
- seafood
Daryna emphasizes that keeping a wild animal at home is a significant challenge. She strives to honestly show the difficulties of care and urges people to avoid petting zoos:
"I try to honestly show the complexity of care and explain so that people don't go to petting zoos. A wild animal at home is not just cuteness; it's immense work." - Daryna Dziubak
Animal Tragedies in Ukraine
Separate from Daryna's story, a tragic event occurred in Khmelnytskyi where an unknown predator killed 19 domestic animals, specifically 9 rabbits and 10 chickens. Local resident Kostiantyn Zvarych witnessed the situation. Meanwhile, in Kropyvnytskyi, an animal shelter housing several hundred animals was flooded. These incidents highlight the severe difficulties animals face in Ukraine, both in homes and in shelters.
Daryna and Nora's story underscores the importance of a responsible approach to keeping wild animals and sparks discussion about the ethics of petting zoos, which often exploit animals for entertainment. Concurrently, the tragic events in Khmelnytskyi and Kropyvnytskyi reflect the substantial challenges confronting both domestic and stray animals in Ukraine, necessitating attention from society and the state. The government should focus on animal welfare conditions and ensure their protection in all aspects of life.