A new pop-up exhibition opened yesterday, Sunday, at Yehudit station of the Tel Aviv area light rail near Sarona, showcasing the show "This Is All the Magic, 40 Years of Love Without Borders." The exhibit is presented by the animal welfare nonprofit Let the Animals Live and uses photographs by Sveta Butko to portray the healing, unconditional connection between people and cats and dogs.
The photos feature people with disabilities alongside dogs and cats, some of them visibly disabled as well. The images aim to show how pets can provide a comforting, restorative presence and how mutual acceptance and unconditional love can develop between humans and animals. Butko said her interest in the subject began years ago when her son was referred for animal-assisted therapy. "There, through the lens of the camera, I saw how a deep and moving bond was born between Dan and the animals, and I felt I had to document it and share it with others," she said. "It is important to me that we all reflect the remarkable ability of animals to contain us, human beings, with all our complexity."
The exhibition was created in cooperation between Let the Animals Live and Tevel, part of Egged Group, which operates the light rail in Gush Dan, and marks 40 years of the association's activity. It will remain on display for the next month at Yehudit station in Tel Aviv during all station operating hours.
Let the Animals Live CEO Yael Arkin said the exhibition shows how dogs and cats affect human wellbeing and argued that, contrary to common belief, people often need them as much as they need people. She said she hopes it will move visitors to adopt a dog or cat, noting that every adoption saves two animals, one that finds a home and one that makes room at the shelter. Tevel CEO Amiram Ohayon said the station is a central public space visited daily by thousands and invited the public to come, be moved, and perhaps open their hearts and homes to a new companion. Let the Animals Live, founded in 1986, says its work includes improving animal protection, rescuing and rehabilitating animals in distress, finding adoptive homes, operating three veterinary clinics, a shelter, an emergency hotline, rescue vehicles, a legal department, and social projects linking animals and people.
