Animal rescuer Jesse Adams killed by drone strike in Ukraine

Jesse Adams, co-founder of RainCoast Dog Rescue, was killed by a drone strike near Kramatorsk, Ukraine, on Sunday, October 25. He was evacuating animals with a team from Animal Rescue Kharkiv when a drone attacked the vehicle carrying rescued animals and struck the windshield.

Adams sustained severe injuries and was taken to a local hospital. Doctors performed resuscitation efforts and emergency surgery but were unable to save his life, according to Animal Rescue Kharkiv.

“How can I help?”

Animal Rescue Kharkiv said Adams traveled to frontline communities to save animals and help people. The organization stated that hundreds of animals are alive today because of him.

Lori Kalef, a friend and work partner of more than a decade, said Adams contacted her on Friday, October 23, after seeing a social media post about dogs needing homes in Iran. She quoted him asking, "How can I help?" and said that was his motto.

Kalef said her last message to Adams was that she was sending prayers to him, the people, and the animals to be safe. He replied with a heart emoji.

An outpouring of messages online has remembered Adams as loving, compassionate, and inspiring. Many people shared pictures of dogs saved from deplorable or dangerous conditions that they described as "Jesse's dogs."

RainCoast Dog Rescue was co-founded by Adams more than a decade ago. He lived in Sooke and supported both animals and their humans through rescue work.