K9 Global Rescue
A United States 501(c) (3) non-profit NGO organization
MISSION STATEMENT
K9 GLOBAL RESCUE is a dedicated group of military veterans, first responders, doctors, veterinarians and volunteers from several countries working in cooperation with rescue organizations, government and disaster relief agencies worldwide for the humanity of dogs, all animals, humans and those without a voice.
See who we are HERE
We Stand With The People & Animals of Ukraine
Our Work in Pictures and Video
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© 2023 K9 GLOBAL RESCUE
All Video & Pictures are the Property of K9 Global Rescue
Immediately after our delivery of medical supplies and food to Kherson the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant dam was bombed and our friends from Mishan clinic and Shelter, Shats Clinic and all of Kherson are in extreme danger. They have no power and no where to go. They are in dire need of pontoons and generators. Our team along with Million Hears Foundation headed back to Kherson to help with all means of humanitarian aid. Please help those in this desperate time. 100% of every donation will go to this humanitarian aid relief effort.
Over the past 19 months K9 Global Rescue teams have made 17 humanitarian trips to Ukraine for the Ukrainian refugee and pet crisis. Our volunteers are boots on the ground working throughout Ukraine from Kyiv, Bucha, Irpin, Kharkiv, Izium, Bakhmut, Soledad and Lyman, Kherson and throughout the North, East, and Southern front lines. While on these missions we continue to work with several highly regarded rescue groups and the Armed Forces of Ukraine helping with our logistics and supply needs. We continue to extract people and animals out of harms way, transport and deliver both animal and human medical aid, human food, dog & cat food, and pet supplies. Our volunteers continue to put themselves at risk in newly liberated villages and contested areas under constant Russian shelling. Financial donations are needed more than ever to sustain our efforts. The situation is desperate, and our ask is huge but with your help it can be accomplished. Please share and donate if you can. We will continue to post videos and pictures of our missions.
For the most recent updates, photos & videos please check our Facebook site.
© 2022 K9 GLOBAL RESCUE
All Video & Pictures are the Property of K9 Global Rescue
OUR GROUP
We’ve been asked many times "who are those guys" risking their lives saving dogs and all those without a voice. The individuals who give so much of themselves. These dedicated, passionate proud volunteers who serve in all areas with K9 Global Rescue. From administration, ground and logistic support to the frontline combat zone work in Ukraine, and throughout Asia and the Middle East. Each of these individuals have given of themselves, taken time from family and jobs and have put themselves in harms way. We are grateful for the team we have and for the sacrifices and loyalty that each one has dedicated themselves to helping those without a voice. Each one of these extraordinary individuals deserves recognition.
Jon Barocas
Executive Director K9 Global Rescue
Mr. Barocas has a proven track record as a well recognized CEO having established, operated, and grown a multi-million-dollar, global media company with offices in 7 countries. Along with a group of military veterans, he unofficially started rescuing dogs in 1994 and formally established K9 Global Rescue in 2015. He has worked advocating for the end to the dog and cat meat trade for over 30 years. His experiences saving dogs and working tirelessly for population control and disease mitigation throughout the United States, Mexico, Afghanistan, Iraq, Jordan and Asia are well documented. When the Ukraine conflict began, he dedicated his organization to the welfare of all animals caught in the devastating conflict, delivering humanitarian aid, veterinarian supplies and working the front line to save dogs and cats left behind. Working and partnering with rescue organizations, shelters and the Armed Forces of Ukraine, K9 Global Rescue have saved countless animals and humans and provided essential humanitarian aide.
Rafał Sikora
General Counsel
Rafał has been instrumental is setting up the K9GR Polish Foundation, advising and guiding us through the complicated Polish government structure. He is a well known and highly regarded attorney. Along with his wife and 2 daughters they adopted Izzy who K9GR saved from certain death in Izium, Ukraine.
Dr. Andrew Kushnir “The Nomad Vet”
A veterinarian of Ukrainian heritage, Andrew's father's side of the family fled Ukraine during World War II. When the devastating war began in February, Andrew immediately thought of his family, the people of Ukraine—and as a vet, he thought of the animals. Andrew is known internationally as the “Nomad Vet” and has been working with K9GR and providing aid to refugees and their pets, from the start of the conflict, while also assisting shelters, sanctuaries, and zoos in Ukraine and Poland. His knowledge of animals and the compassion he shows is extraordinary. His qualifications include Large animal, Wildlife and Shelter Medicine. He has worked with the IFAW and was featured on the Vanderpump Dogs reality TV series.
Colton Martin
United States Army - 82nd Airborne
68W- healthcare specialist/combat medic
1/73 Cav 2nd brigade
Colton is Boston born but country raised. His compassion lies with lost souls and has found his calling through the service to those in need by Interacting with trauma survivors and other veterans who have experience with PTSD. Colton has found a special calling in "equine therapy," veteran horse therapy involving interactions between a veteran and a horse.
Brian Rutter
Staff PhotoJournalist
Brian Rutter is a renowned Documentary Photographer and Photojournalist currently based in Dublin, Ireland. He has spent the last 12 years covering conflict and humanitarian issues from around the globe.
Either while embedded with Kurdistan Armed Forces in Iraq, he filed images from the frontline during the war against ISIS, be it from the streets of Bangkok during the Thai Army’s coup d'état, or reporting from hospitals or ground level in Gaza City during the Israeli-Palistine war, to being the first photographer on the ground after a suicide bomber in an explosive-laden vehicle detonated at the Iranian Cultural Center in Bir Hassan. War and conflict is his main focus.
Having covered the Refugee Crisis extensively, documenting the lives of displaced Syrian refugees, living in camps on the Lebanon/Syrian boarder. From the Greek islands to assignments from France, giving first hand accounts of life in the heart of the Calais Jungle….or in Africa, reporting on the AIDS crisis and child malnutrition. Brian has garnered a reputation as an independent witness to the harsher side of humanity.
After being introduced to Jon Barocas in April 2022, Brian came on board with K9 Global Rescue as our staff photographer in July 2022 where he has covered the Ukrainian conflict with passion and dedication.
Matt Roberts
US Army Paratrooper
Matt works in public safety instructing Fire and EMS. He has a drive to helping others and in teaching people to do the same.
Dan Olthen
Armed Forces Federal Republic of Germany
For the Past 7 years Dan has lived and worked as a developer within the video games industry in Warsaw. Together with Paddy and Rafał, Dan has been a foundation of support and logistics for K9GR. His military experience has been imperative to K9GR's mission.
Ron Lundy
SEAL Team 1, Corpsman 11th MEU
6 years US Navy
Afghanistan - Operation Mountain Thrust
Ron owns and operates his own business and has been actively involved in disaster relief and K9 Global Rescue. He has been on 3 Ukraine missions with K9 Global Rescue and is passionate and dedicated to saving those without a voice and delivering humanitarian aid.
Tab Kurtz
SFC (RETIRED) US ARMY
32 years of service
104th INF Det. LRSD
19th SFG
129th INF Det. LRSD
2 combat deployments
Since retiring Tab has deployed and worked with K9 Global Rescue in Ukraine in order to assist and support the people and animals of Ukraine. He is an avid paratrooper and spends his time with fellow veteran paratrooper jump clubs or works restoring historical military vehicles.
LTC (Ret) Eric Cleveland
26 years Regular Army as an Armor officer
United States Marine Corps Reserve
Deployments: Desert Storm, Afghanistan, Iraq
Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with silver Oak Leaf Cluster, five campaign medals, the Army Staff Identification Badge. Living the life and helping animals and humans wherever needed
John Rader
22 years Denver Sheriff Department
10 years United States Marine Corps. - Sergeant
Instructor in hand-to-hand combat and ground fighting
Primary Marksmanship Instructor
Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer
Meritorious Masts, letters of recommendation, Two Navy Achievement Medals
John is a dedicated, 22-year law enforcement officer. As a former marine, John provides invaluable leadership and experience to K9 Global Rescue.
Patrick “Paddy” Ney
Originally From the UK, Patrick has lived in Poland for 13 years. He is a Parenting Trainer at All About Parenting. He lives in Warsaw with his wife and 2 daughters and is the grateful owner of a K9 Rescue Dog from Kharkiv, Boomer. Patrick has been paramount and instrumental in our ground and logistics support for each mission.
Our Mission
K9 GLOBAL RESCUE is a dedicated group of former military veterans and volunteers
from different countries working in cooperation with rescue organizations, government
and disaster relief agencies worldwide for the humanity of dogs and all without a voice
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Provide worldwide disaster relief
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Improving the lives of dogs through positive caring, education and change
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End the cruelty and slaughter of dogs in the dog meat trade
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Outlaw and ban all puppy mills and dog farms
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Provide health services including disease mitigation, vaccinations, spay & neuter
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Domestic and International transporting dogs for adoption to forever homes
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Work with military agencies, foreign governments on disease risk mitigation & population control
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Assist service men and women who wish to bring their adopted best friends home to the United States.
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Identify military and contract working dogs being retired that can still work and donate them to local, state and federal law enforcement agencies unable to afford the cost of acquiring new K9 service dogs
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Establish sanctuaries to care for abused dogs, dogs with disabilities, dogs bred for consumption, dogs with behavioral issues and older abandoned dogs
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Combat Global wildlife trafficking and poaching