BEAR SANCTUARY Domazhyr provides a species-appropriate home and lifelong care to brown bears abused as baiting bears, kept in small cages next to restaurants to attract customers, or held in other inadequate conditions. The construction of the sanctuary represents an important step in stopping the abuse of bears for bear-baiting and improving the conditions of bears held inappropriately in the Ukraine. On the basis of our initiative, a new animal welfare law was adopted in 2015. Since then, forcing either wolves or bears to fight dogs has been prohibited. 

Unfortunately though, bear-baiting continues illegally since bears can still be kept on hunting stations. FOUR PAWS, with the support of the Ukrainian authorities, aims to put an end to this cruel practice once and for all.

Visitors can explore the sanctuary on their own and visit the cafe or shop. Additionally, BEAR SANCTUARY Domazhyr offers individual or group tours through the sanctuary. Our guides will be happy to share valuable and interesting information about our sanctuary and the story of each bear. Special and behind the scenes tours for children and adults are also available. You can find more information here.