A shelter is a place where the word “home” takes on meaning. Here animals find not only temporary shelter, but also love and care. Each four-legged animal is welcomed with an open heart, offering not only food and shelter, but also a chance to believe in people again.
At the shelter, volunteers and employees give their charges a piece of warmth every day, helping them recover. Here, every pet is waiting for its person, the one who sees in its eyes the readiness to become a true friend. And, of course, any help from caring people brings each of them closer to their dream of a home and a loving family.
The Caspiy newspaper interviewed the co-owner of the Friends animal shelter Zuleikha Velieva, who has been helping homeless animals for several years. She shared the difficulties and joys of her work and how important it is to support this important mission.
– What prompted you to create an animal shelter?
– The history of the Friends shelter began in 2010, when assistance was not yet provided to abandoned and sick animals in Baku. The decision to create a shelter was rather a forced measure. Its founder, Valeria Garber, created the first group on social networks, realizing that she would not be able to shelter all the animals, but she would not be able to turn a blind eye to their suffering. This is how a society of like-minded people arose, which is engaged in the treatment and placement of animals into families. I joined the group in 2012 and since then I have been actively involved in the work of our shelter.
– How do you decide which animals to help first?
– We do not have a separate building, medical staff, workers and stable funding, so everything depends on our own capabilities at the moment. At the Friends shelter, the two of us take care of the animals – me and Valeria. Most of them live on the territory of Valeria’s own private home, and many factors have to be taken into account: is there enough space for quarantine, will the new pets be able to get along with other animals, will there be enough resources for food, medicine, as well as time and effort for care.
– Have you encountered situations when rescued animals showed special gratitude?
– The most grateful animals, after being rescued, behave like “excellent students”: they cause almost no trouble, learn quickly and look at you with adoration and devotion – this touches you to the core. We once had a puppy named Yuppie with cerebellar ataxia (impaired motor coordination). We learned about him from a call from the clinic where he was taken to be euthanized. The disease is congenital, but not fatal and not contagious. He was absolutely healthy, just shaking a little. Yes, the tremor, alas, was beyond his control, but how he tried to be a good boy! We immediately took him in, and soon a loving owner was found for him.
Another touching story is about a dog named Bars. The owners abandoned him at their summer cottage, and the neighbors, hearing a terrible howl at night, climbed over the fence and took the exhausted Leopard to the veterinarian. Then Valeria and I resuscitated him until the morning – thank God, the dog survived. After a long recovery, Bars recovered, participated in exhibitions and about two months ago found a new home – now he lives in an apartment with loving owners.
– What is the most difficult thing in your work and where do you get strength to move on?
– The biggest difficulty is reality. After all, globally we are changing little in the system of helping homeless animals. Yes, over 14 years we have saved hundreds of lives, but compared to those who never received help, this is a drop in the ocean. However, it is these saved happy faces that give us the strength to move on. You get one such photo of a happy pet – and you understand: everything is not in vain. Hence the strength.
What steps are you taking to convince people of the importance of animal adoption?
– Photos are taken for us, in which happy owners share their joy. However, there is a downside to this. Having an animal in the house is not a temporary trend that can be forgotten in a year or two. The decision to have a pet should be balanced and responsible, as if it were a child. Unfortunately, the number of abandoned purebred cats and dogs increases every year. Therefore, it is very important to talk about real life with animals, with all its pros and cons.
– What can each of us do for homeless animals?
– This is a difficult question. For some reason, it has become “strange” to show humanity and do something selflessly. I’ll share my experience in case someone wants to follow our example. We sign up for free sterilization of stray dogs. The day before the procedure, we catch street dogs. We get up at 6 a.m., put them in carriers, load them into the car and leave at 8 a.m. so that by 10 we can be on the other side of the city, wait for the operation to be completed and return. Then we watch as the stitches heal so that we can release the dogs into the wild, knowing that they will no longer produce unwanted puppies and will be able to live longer and more peacefully.
Is it possible to oblige everyone to sterilize homeless animals? Of course not. Most will say that this should be handled by the relevant services. Therefore, I appeal to pet owners: sterilize your animals if you do not need their offspring. This will also help reduce the number of stray cats and dogs on the street.
– How do you see the future of Friends in a few years?
– Of course, we would like all the animals to find a family, but we understand that it is impossible to completely abandon shelters. The future of our Friends depends on legislative changes, which we really hope for. If laws are passed on control of breeding, mandatory sterilization of non-breeding animals, registration and responsibility for their maintenance, it will become easier for us to adopt pets. We will gladly support such an initiative.
And finally, I want to invite everyone to our shelter – perhaps a true friend is waiting for you right here: he is ready to give you his love and become a member of your family.
* What is the most impactful way individuals in the community can contribute to making Baku a more humane environment for animals?
## Guardians of Hope: An Interview with the Friends Animal Shelter
**Welcome to “Guardians of Hope,” where we delve into the crucial work of animal shelters and the individuals who dedicate themselves to their mission.** Today, we’re joined by two remarkable guests, Zuleikha Velieva, co-owner of the Friends animal shelter in Baku, and… [Name of second guest, ideally a representative from a relevant animal welfare organization or a veterinarian], to explore the world of animal rescue,
**Section 1: The Genesis of Compassion**
* Zuleikha, your journey began with the Friends shelter in 2010. What were the circumstances that led you to create this haven for abandoned and sick animals?
* What challenges did you face in the early days, and how did you navigate those obstacles?
* [Second Guest] What do you see as the most pressing needs of animal shelters in our community, and how can we best address them?
**Section 2: The Reality of Rescue**
* The article highlights the immense responsibility involved in choosing which animals to help first. Zuleikha, could you elaborate on the factors you consider when making these difficult decisions?
* What emotional toll does this work take on volunteers and shelter staff, and how do you cope with the challenging realities of animal welfare?
* [Second Guest] What systemic changes are needed to ensure a more humane and effective approach to animal rescue and care?
**Section 3: Stories of Resilience**
* Zuleikha, the article recounts poignant stories about rescued animals like Yuppie and Bars. Could you share some more stories that illustrate the resilience and gratitude of these animals?
* What impact have these encounters had on your personal perspective on the human-animal bond?
* [Second Guest] How can we use these stories to foster empathy and encourage responsible pet ownership in our community?
**Section 4: A Call to Action**
* The article emphasizes the vital role individuals can play in supporting animal shelters. Zuleikha, what concrete steps can our listeners take to make a difference?
* [Second Guest] What are some ethical considerations surrounding responsible pet ownership that everyone should be aware of?
* What message of hope would you offer to those who feel overwhelmed by the scale of the problem, and how can they channel their compassion into meaningful action?
**Closing Statement:**
We thank Zuleikha Velieva and [Name of second guest] for shedding light on the crucial work of animal shelters. Their dedication and compassion serve as an inspiration to us all.
Let’s remember that every animal deserves a chance at a happy and fulfilling life. By working together, we can create a world where shelters become temporary havens, not permanent homes.
**Note:**
* Feel free to adjust questions based on the discussion flow and the expertise of your second guest.
* Encourage both guests to share their personal experiences and insights to enrich the conversation.
* Remember to weave in information from the article but allow the guests to expand upon the themes and offer their unique perspectives.
