Towards the end of 2025, a British solider’s cat called Kettlebell relocated from Ukraine to the UK. Although we didn’t ultimately transport him, we helped with advice and support. Here, with permission from David, is Kettlebell’s story.
Content warning: suicide
David’s son Tom was a British serving soldier deployed in Ukraine, north of Odessa. Following an episode of severe bombing, Tom heard a mewing sound coming from a building that had been razed to the ground. The source of the sound turned out to be a tiny black kitten. Tom adopted him on the spot and named him Kettlebell.
As part of his care for Kettlebell, Tom asked his father David to promise to take care of the cat if anything ever happened to him.
Some time later, Tom was badly injured in combat and lost the use of his legs. Living alone with Kettlebell, he found himself unable to bear the situation, and very sadly took his own life.
A close friend of Tom’s took Kettlebell in and looked after him while David worked on carrying out Tom’s wishes to get Kettlebell to the UK. That turned out to be a much more complicated undertaking than David had envisaged.
Finding a route for Kettlebell from Ukraine to the UK
Animalcouriers worked with David to find a route for Kettlebell from East Ukraine to the North of England. To help with the paperwork challenges, we put David in touch with the relevant UK government departments. We don’t have a licence or insurance to go into Ukraine itself to collect pets, but offered to meet Kettlewell at the Ukrainian border and bring him to the UK at no charge.
In the end, David found a transport company that could sort out the paperwork, collect Kettlebell in Ukraine, and bring him to England. One of our team members worked with RSPCA colleagues to get funding for the trip, but the company kindly offered to transport Kettlebell for a very small fee, so David didn’t need the financial support.
Although we didn’t end up making the journey with Kettlebell, we were pleased to provide David with advice and support — and so glad that he could carry out his son’s wishes and take over caring for Tom’s precious pet.
The photos below were provided by David and are shared with his agreement.
Tom on duty
Tom with Kettlebell
Cuddles for Kettlebell
Handsome Kettlebell
Thank you for posting this emotional story. It moved me to tears. Thank goodness that you provided David with advice and support to carry out his son’s wishes to take over Kettlebell.
Thank you so much for all that you did to help David and Kettlebell. Such a sad story.
Thank you Wendy, it’s a story that’s touched us all.
Mee-yow what a tragic an beeuteefull an sad an sweet sotry.
Ferst wee sned POTP an purrayerss to PawPaw David to give him strength.
Seckond wee wihs that Mistur Tom’ss memory iss fore a Blessing.
Third wee are so reeleeved that Kettlebell was abel to journey from THE Ukraine to U-Kay an that THE Courierss helped.
Kettlebell wee wish you a guud life with GranPaw David.
Thanz miss Annie fore sharin such an impawtent story.
~~~head rubss~~~BellaDharma~~~ an {{{hugss}}} BellaSita Mum
I am with Herman. Your post moved me to tears. Kettlebell is a very lucky kitty! Prayers for Tom’s family.
Love Kittybell. What a fantastic, heartwarming story.
That is quite a story. I have to ask. Why is a UK soldier fighting in Ukraine?
Of course you wanted to help, you’re such good people. I’m so sorry that Tom gave up on his future This wretched war has taken so much. Condolences to the family who will never heal. I hope loving Kettlebell will bring them a little comfort and let them feel the love their son had when he saved him. x