Article

Ukrainian pet exceptionalism unpacked

New article by Kristin Bergtora Sandvik (PRIO) in International Migration

“The rescue of pets soon became part of the humanitarian narrative of the attack on Ukraine. The open-door policy on companion animals from Ukraine—a high-risk country for rabies—in terms of regulatory modifications and the provision of services could be described as one of ‘pet exceptionalism’” writes Research Professor, Kristin Bergtora Sandvik (Peace Research Institute Oslo and University of Oslo) in a recent article for International Migration.

Following a six month desk study, the article, “The Ukrainian refugee crisis: Unpacking the politics of pet exceptionalism”, discusses how the management of the Ukraine pet influx fits with existing regulatory regimes and policy priorities regarding companion animals, and the tensions involved. Read the full open access article here.

This article forms part of the “Humanitarianism, Borders, and the Governance of Mobility: The EU and the ‘Refugee Crisis’” (HumBORDER) project and was discussed at the project’s closing seminar recently held in Oslo.