The international charity drive to sterilise and neuter domestic and stray cats and dogs in Petropavl is coming to an end. The programme is entirely funded by Fondation Brigitte Bardot from France and the German organisation Tierschutz Entwicklungshilfe e.V.
HOW THE CHARITY DRIVE IS RUN
According to the Telegram channel “HALYQSTAN”, the operations are being carried out at the private shelter of Andrei Isakov outside the city. A team of foreign veterinary specialists has arrived in the North Kazakhstan Region (NKR) to take part in the project.
According to the organisers, local animal welfare advocates had to submit a grant application several times before international experts approved funding for the programme specifically for Petropavl.
WHAT RESULTS HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED
The project is entering its final phase. The main flow of patients consists of dogs, but around 400 cats have already been sterilised.
The dog sterilisation drive ends on 3 July. Owners can bring their animals without an appointment — admissions are handled on a first-come, first-served basis.
WHAT TECHNIQUES ARE THE SPECIALISTS USING
In addition to performing operations, the foreign veterinary specialists are sharing modern techniques with their Kazakhstani colleagues. The work employs a minimally invasive sterilisation method, which reduces the animals’ recovery time and eliminates the need for them to wear protective bodysuits after surgery.
Local vets are performing operations alongside their foreign colleagues, gaining practical experience.
WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE PROJECT’S FUNDING
The organisers have not disclosed the amount of the grant awarded.
However, according to information from the organisers, the market cost of similar services in Kazakhstan averages 10,000–15,000 tenge to sterilise a cat and 20,000–45,000 tenge for a dog.
It is noted that, given the number of animals, the total cost of the project could have been around 20–25 million tenge. This estimate includes not only the operations, but also the cost of flights and accommodation for the specialists, as well as the purchase of anaesthetics, sutures and other medical consumables.
WHY THE ORGANISERS CONSIDER THE PROJECT IMPORTANT
The organisers emphasise that mass sterilisation remains one of the most effective and humane ways to reduce the number of stray animals and prevent unwanted litters.
