The remarkable adoption journey of Cal, a dog displaced by the war in Ukraine

Dog of war

Story by Jen Prekop

Hilton Head Island’s Jeff Prekop first met Cal during a 2023 rescue mission to Ukraine. On a follow-up trip earlier this year to the war-torn region, Jeff made the life-changing decision to adopt him. Now Cal is thriving on Hilton Head Island, enjoying the good life while preparing for a new journey as a search-and-rescue K9 in training.

I never imagined that our dream dog would come from across the world, but that’s precisely what happened with Cal. My husband, Jeff, and I have spent over 30 years volunteering at Hilton Head Humane as pet groomers, so when Jeff traveled to Ukraine in March 2022 to volunteer near the front lines with the Breaking The Chains International animal rescue organization, it felt like a natural extension of our life’s work. While Jeff helped rescue animals in the early days of the Russian-Ukrainian War, I stayed behind to care for our family and business — though that’s another story in itself.

During Jeff’s third rescue trip in 2023, he met Cal at a shelter and veterinary clinic established by the rescue organization. Cal bore a striking resemblance to our late 17-year-old dog, Chewey. Jeff sent me a photo from Ukraine, and I thought that was the end of it — or so I believed.

Cal was just a 6-month-old puppy when he lost his home, family and the city he knew in a missile attack on Kherson Oblast, Ukraine. The Russians captured the region in early March 2022, and for eight long months this resilient little pup survived alone amidst the chaos until Breaking The Chains rescued him. With the help of drones, they were able to track and save him after the area was liberated in November 2022. From there Cal was taken to its shelter, where he began his long journey of healing.

By January a video of Cal’s rescue footage surfaced on Facebook, along with a heartfelt plea for a forever family. Watching that footage — Cal, a solitary figure dashing through a snow-covered, war-ravaged village — broke my heart. Everything was burned and blackened. He darted through the rubble and scorched trees, glancing back in fear. We often think about the devastation war causes for people, but we forget about the animals left behind.

Kherson, Ukraine - November 20, 2022 Destruction of Kherson International Airport in Chornobaivka, Kherson Oblast in Ukraine — This 2022 image captures the devastation of Kherson International Airport in Kherson Oblast, Ukraine. Amidst the destruction, Cal, just 6 months old at the time, lost everything but his spirit. Miraculously, he survived on his own for eight months until his village was liberated.

We had lost Chewey by then, and with Jeff gearing up for his fourth trip to Ukraine, we decided to adopt Cal. The international adoption process was no small feat — complex and logistically challenging. But when Jeff returned to Ukraine, Cal remembered him immediately, jumping with excitement when they reunited at the shelter. Six weeks later Jeff and Cal embarked on a 5,500-mile journey to the U.S. They drove across Ukraine, flew from Bucharest to Frankfurt and on to Atlanta, before finally driving back to Hilton Head Island. After navigating snow, frigid temperatures and endless paperwork, Jeff arrived home at 1 a.m. on March 22 with Cal by his side.

Cal’s physical wounds have healed, and he’s continuing to undergo socialization and therapy for PTSD. Five years ago I was diagnosed with PTSD, so this shared journey has been profoundly therapeutic for both of us. I find strength in Cal’s resilience and bravery. Everything is new for him — splashing in the surf at the beach, making friends at doggie daycare and learning to trust. Cal even has a blind Pomeranian companion named Gabe, who brings out his playful side, and a 12-week-old kitten, Julian, who joins him for naps.

three abandoned stray mongrel dogs on the destroyed street of Mariupol — The war in Ukraine has left countless pets displaced, with estimates of over 100,000 animals that have lost their homes since the Russian invasion began in 2022. While some families managed to flee with their pets, many were forced to leave them behind, leading to a significant surge in the number of stray animals roaming the country.

Jeff, too, has discovered a new calling in search and rescue. After taking classes with various organizations across the country, he plans to train Cal as a search-and-rescue K9. It’s surreal to think that the brave dog from that drone footage, running alone through a war zone, is now part of our family. Cal is finally home.

Rescue in the ruins

Breaking The Chains International is dedicated to rescuing animals from some of the most perilous environments across the globe. Click here to watch the heartwarming rescue of Cal, a dog saved from a war-torn region of Ukraine. Today Cal is thriving in his new home with Jeff and Jen Prekop, proud owners of Groomingdales, a pet-grooming business on Hilton Head Island.