The story of Us, Our Pets and the War
Us, Our Pets and the War tells the story of ordinary Ukrainians doing something extraordinary: they're saving animals in the midst of full-scale invasion. The film captures rescue operations happening across the country—volunteers pulling cats and dogs from abandoned apartment buildings, coordinating emergency evacuations of lions and tigers from zoos, risking their own safety to ensure that the creatures left behind don't perish in the chaos. It's not a film about the war itself, exactly. Rather, it's about what humans choose to protect when survival is the only priority, and what that says about us.
The 79-minute documentary, directed by Anton Ptushkin in his feature directorial debut, doesn't shy away from the violence and displacement that forced these rescues in the first place. But the film's real power lies in what it refuses to dwell on—instead, it focuses on the volunteers, the networks of care, the small acts of defiance that come in the form of a dog pulled from rubble or a big cat transported to safety. You'll find yourself watching scenes that are both heartbreaking and quietly heroic, often at the same time.
Behind the making of Us, Our Pets and the War
Anton Ptushkin spent roughly eighteen months developing and shooting this film, which makes sense given the subject matter's sensitivity and the logistical challenges of documenting rescue operations in an active conflict zone. Us, Our Pets and the War is a co-production between Ukrainian company Vse Sam and Canadian outfit Yap Films, alongside PBS and The WNET Group—a partnership that brought international resources and editorial rigor to a deeply local story.
Ptushkin, who built his following as a blogger before moving into documentary filmmaking, brings a perspective that's neither detached nor sentimental. He understands how to let scenes breathe, how to show the work without turning it into inspiration porn. The production credits include BCE Cam, which handled technical aspects of the shoot, a crucial detail when you're filming in unpredictable and sometimes dangerous circumstances.
The film carries a 9/10 rating on IMDb—a score that reflects not just critical appreciation but genuine audience connection. That kind of rating doesn't happen by accident. It happens when a film earns its emotional stakes and doesn't manipulate viewers into feeling things they don't actually feel. While the documentary hasn't accumulated the awards-season recognition of some higher-profile releases, its impact among those who've seen it has been substantial and word-of-mouth has remained strong. For context, Movie OTT tracks how documentaries like this one find their audience across streaming platforms, and Us, Our Pets and the War has proven to have real staying power.
What makes Us, Our Pets and the War stand out
Here's what's striking about this film: it doesn't ask you to choose between caring about animals and caring about people. That false binary—the one that surfaces every time someone says "but what about the humans?"—never appears. Instead, Ptushkin shows that these rescue efforts are human stories. They're about community, about the instinct to protect the vulnerable, about refusing to let war strip away your capacity for compassion.
The cinematography captures both the mundane and the extraordinary—a volunteer carefully carrying a cat down a darkened staircase, a team coordinating the transport of a sedated big cat, the quiet moment after a successful rescue when you can see the relief wash over someone's face. What's remarkable is how the film trusts these moments to do their own work. It doesn't overlay them with manipulative music or voiceover explaining why we should care. You already do.
Critically, the film works because it's specific. We're not watching generic "animal rescue"—we're watching these rescues, these people, in this particular moment in history. That specificity is what makes it universal. There's no sentimentality here, which paradoxically makes it more moving. The volunteers aren't heroes in the traditional sense; they're people who saw a need and responded. That distinction matters. It's the difference between inspiration and recognition—and Us, Our Pets and the War deals in recognition. It sees you, and it sees the people on screen, and it doesn't try to make the seeing prettier than it is.
Where to stream Us, Our Pets and the War online
Us, Our Pets and the War is available on major OTT services, and the specific platforms carrying it are listed in the "Where to Watch" widget at the top of this page. Availability can shift by region and subscription tier, so checking that widget will give you the most current information for your location. The film's 79-minute runtime makes it accessible for a single sitting, though you might find yourself wanting to sit with it for a bit afterward. Movie OTT's streaming aggregator keeps tabs on where titles like this one are currently available, so you won't waste time hunting across multiple apps.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Who directed Us, Our Pets and the War?
Anton Ptushkin directed the film in his feature directorial debut. He's a Ukrainian filmmaker and blogger who spent about 18 months developing and shooting the documentary.
Q: Is Us, Our Pets and the War based on a true story?
Yes—it documents real rescue operations happening in Ukraine during the Russian invasion. The film follows actual volunteers and organizations working to save animals left behind by displaced families.
Q: How long is Us, Our Pets and the War?
The documentary runs 79 minutes, making it a manageable length for a single viewing session without sacrificing depth or nuance in storytelling.
Q: What's the IMDb rating for Us, Our Pets and the War?
The film holds a 9/10 rating on IMDb, reflecting strong audience appreciation and critical recognition of its emotional and narrative impact.
Q: Where can I watch Us, Our Pets and the War?
The film is available on major streaming platforms. Check the "Where to Watch" widget on this page for current availability in your region, as platform access varies by location and subscription service.
Final thoughts on Us, Our Pets and the War
If you're looking for a documentary that doesn't preach or perform—one that simply shows what humans are capable of when they decide to care—Us, Our Pets and the War is essential viewing. It's not easy to watch, but it's necessary. The film reminds us that even amid catastrophe, people find ways to be kind. And sometimes that's the most radical thing of all. Don't miss it.