On the southern fringes of Donetsk, in the shadow of a huge steel plant, a cacophony of barking overwhelms the dull thud of artillery fire. The PIF animal shelter is crammed with almost 1,000 dogs of all sizes, ages and breeds (though the number that can claim any sort of pedigree is probably in single figures). 

Many are orphans of the conflict that has shaken this city for the past six months. Their owners have left or in a few cases been killed by the shelling. Some have been discovered tied up and emaciated; others carry the scars of shrapnel or hobble around on three legs. There are several in every cage, with a handful of straw to protect them from temperatures that plunge far below freezing at night. 

The director of the sanctuary is Victoria Vasilieva, a tall middle-aged woman with jet black hair, whose compassion for the animals in her care is unstinting. She cradles a young dog called Jennifer, the only survivor when a shell hit her family's home near the airport. Jennifer was found traumatized in the ruins and it has taken weeks to gain her trust. 

Vasilieva says that the dogs here used to be terrified by the sounds of war. Now, like the people of Donetsk, they hardly notice them. 

Inside the office block, a puppy -- mostly black Labrador - is recovering from a broken leg and shrapnel wound. Vats of oatmeal are cooking in the yard. It's like feeding an army. A few very lucky dogs are going to new homes in Germany, Finland and Russia, but the great majority will remain at the shelter so long as there is money to feed them. 
Who is director of the animal shelter?
Is she a young woman?
Does she have a lot of sympathy for the animals there?
Which animal is she holding during the story?
Were there any other survivors where she was found?
What happened to her family's house?
What was the extent of the dog's injuries?
Is she having trouble warming up to Victoria?
Where is this shelter?
What sits next to it?
how many dogs are housed at the shelter?
Are the majority full blooded breeds?
What's been happening there to cause so many dogs to be impounded?
For how long?
What's an example of how a dog might end up there?
Have some of them lost a limb?
How many are in each cage?
What do they have for warmth?
What is the black lab puppy healing from?
What do the dogs eat?
Victoria Vasilieva
The director of the sanctuary is Victoria Vasilieva
no
middle-aged woman
yes
whose compassion for the animals in her care is unstinting
Jennifer
She cradles a young dog called Jennifer
no
Jennifer, the only survivor
a shell hit it
 Jennifer, the only survivor when a shell hit her family's home
she was traumatized
Jennifer was found traumatized in the ruins
yes
it has taken weeks to gain her trust
Donetsk
On the southern fringes of Donetsk
a steel plant
 in the shadow of a huge steel plant
almost 1,000
animal shelter is crammed with almost 1,000 dogs
no
the number that can claim any sort of pedigree is probably in single figures
conflict
Many are orphans of the conflict
six months
conflict that has shaken this city for the past six months
being discovered tied up and emaciated
Some have been discovered tied up and emaciated
yes
hobble around on three legs
several
There are several in every cage
a handful of straw
with a handful of straw to protect them from temperatures
a broken leg and shrapnel wound
a puppy -- mostly black Labrador - is recovering from a broken leg and shrapnel wound
oatmeal
Vats of oatmeal are cooking