Canadian volunteer who came to Ukraine to rescue animals killed in Donetsk region
Adams founded the RainCoast Dog Rescue Society, which specialises in rescuing animals and finding them new homes. In Ukraine, he also helped residents of frontline settlements.
Ukrainian volunteers said that Jesse had helped save hundreds of animals.
"When someone travels halfway around the world to work alongside you in some of the most challenging conditions imaginable, it means more than words can express. Thanks to Jesse, hundreds of animals are alive today," the Ukrainian volunteers said.
Just days before his death, Adams wrote that his team had rescued 80 dogs and cats in Kramatorsk in a single day. He stressed that animals are innocent victims of the war: some lose their owners, while others are evacuated to safer regions or placed with new families.
Допис, поширений RainCoast Dog Rescue (@raincoastdogrescue)
"These poor animals do not understand war and are simply innocent victims of another country invading Ukraine. Each day more and more innocent civilians and animals are injured or killed by drones, bombs, and missile attacks.
Some of these animals owners were killed, some are being evacuated to be reunited with their families to a safer region of Ukraine, some have been asked to be rehomed, and others are strays struggling to survive in a place that causes a lot damage and suffering.
It breaks my heart that we even have to do this type of work, but it is my privilege and honor to be a small part of helping these animals reach a better life for themselves and their families, or to be adopted into new families," he wrote.
The tragedy occurred on October 25. After the volunteers loaded the animals into a vehicle for evacuation, a Russian drone struck the windshield. Adams sustained severe injuries. He was taken to hospital, where medical staff performed resuscitation and emergency surgery, but they were unable to save him.
"Jesse, it was a great honour for us to work alongside you. We will always remember you as a kind, compassionate and truly extraordinary person. We will miss you dearly.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to everyone who knew and loved Jesse. We are grateful for the time we spent with him, for his courage and for every life he helped us save," the Animal Rescue. Kharkiv community added.
As Rubryka previously reported, in July, animal rescuer Olha Kuzmenko was killed by a guided aerial bomb (KAB) strikein Druzhkivka, Donetsk region. The animals she cared for every day also died in the attack.
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- October, 30
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31 of October 2026
