"I can't pass by - I feel sorry for all of them" - Iroda Matkarimova
How does the largest shelter for stray animals in Uzbekistan “Hayot” live (or survive)? We talked to the founder, Iroda Matkarimova, about the current difficulties and future plans.
Iroda, you shelter dogs from Kibrai and Chirchik. Do you make exceptions for other cities?
Of course! I am constantly reported that somewhere there is a wounded dog that needs to be rescued urgently. We go there, take them, treat and send them to the "Hayot". Personally, I have picked up so many dogs on the streets of Tashkent. I can't pass by - I feel sorry for all of them. I get calls all day long, sometimes I have to turn my phone off People often refuse to take found animals to the vet clinic, where we cure them at the expense of the shelter. They just send the location. At this point, I call the volunteers and ask them to take the dog as soon as possible, because every minute counts.
· Waiting for a miracle: What it is like for dogs in the “Hayot” shelter?
We help treat house pets as well. For example, recently a girl from Andijan called, crying and asking for help. She left the dog to a neighbor for a week. What happened is not clear, but the dog was vomiting blood. How can I refuse, you see? Today we are taking him to the vet clinic. Sometimes people do want to help but they can't afford to pay for treatment. Luckily, veterinary clinics provide discounts to “Hayot”. So we cover all the costs to not leave sick animals on the street. It is sad when aged pet owners pass away and neighbors call, asking us to shelter their pets otherwise they will be culled So we shelter them too.
How has the state of the shelter changed since last year?
It has become quite difficult financially. Probably next year the shelter will have to stop reception of Chirchik dogs because we won't manage. If you see payment reconciliation reports with veterinary clinics and poultry farms, you will probably get scared. We owe each organization debts in the amount of 15-30 million sums(~1500-3000$). Thankfully, in December the Knauf company donated 30 million sums (~3000$), so the shelter paid off the debt for chicken feet and even bought several tons in store. Knauf promised to help in January-February as well. Also with the help of influencers, a good amount of money is raised for the shelter
The number of dogs kept in shelter increased from 900 to 2000 compared with December 2019 The pandemic has affected the growth of the number of dogs. Many people were taken to the hospital leaving pets unattended. So we had to shelter them. Also during the quarantine, people began to drive pets out, apparently, because of financial difficulties. A large flow came especially from Chirchik. At times, 100 dogs were brought in per month.
A lot of money is spent on food and treatment. Many wounded and ill dogs are brought in, so «Hayot» spends 30-50 million (3000-5000$) sums monthly on veterinary services. The food provided to dogs is hearty otherwise the immune system will weaken and the dogs will start to get sick. 1.5 tons of chicken feet (2 million sums (~200$)), 100 kg of ground cereal (300 thousand sums (~30$)), meat scraps, dry food, liver are consumed per day.
One gets the feeling that this is a bottomless pit of need...
Well, that's true! In difficult times, we had to pawn jewelry in order to get some money. Therefore, I want to start a feed production business, I will get a loan. Half of the produced fodder will be for Hayot, and the other half will be sold to cover the costs of the shelter. The local feed will cost less than the imported ones, so the buyers will also benefit.
Production equipment costs 25 thousand dollars. Only 3 people are required for service because operations are controlled by an automated system. The factory is going to be built on the territory of "Hayot", so we won't have to pay rent. Moreover, there are livestock farms in the district, from which animal bones can be purchased inexpensively and processed into bone meal. This is another important feed ingredient. Other additives and flavorings I plan to order from Poland and Germany.
"Hayot" must move towards self-sufficiency, it's the only way. Now there is no stability, I'm really worried about it. If factories refuse to lend chicken feet, then what to do? I can't tell dogs not to ask for food, because I have no money.
Also, we are going to construct a vet clinic in the shelter. There is already a man from Germany who wants to donate a free emergency vehicle. I do hope to get the rest of the equipment in the same way - for free. And I will definitely make a separate room for young visitors with cerebral palsy. They often come to play with puppies. Their parents say it helps.
Do you have to make difficult decisions sometimes?
Just yesterday I had to put a dog with a broken spine down. I always fight to the last, but if the vet says that there is no chance! - I take responsibility. I don't want to torture animals, making them feel pain. In this case, putting a dog down is more humane.
This doesn't refer to old dogs. 15-18 years old dogs that can no longer guard the house are often brought in "Hayot". But I would never dare to put them down. What do I feel sorry for the plates of porridge? Let them live out their lives in warmth and satiety.
Do you often face negativity?
All the time. I cried so much and almost gave up because of moral pressure. When the volunteers and I were constructing enclosures, we heard so many insults: “You are so stupid, who does like that ?!”. Everyone knows how to give a piece of advice, but for some reason, none of the advisers has ever come to "Hayot", has not fed the dogs, has not cleaned enclosures.
I often hear this statement: "I would rather help people!" But a person has the ability to ask and call for help. The ability to make money for his or her needs. But animals don't have that capability. People help each other, including me. I regularly support several families. Anyway, I decided that shelter is more significant for me. Therefore, no matter how risky it is to take charge, I still take it and rush to help. Maybe the shelter for dogs is my purpose in this life.
Besides, some people believe that Hayot brings income. It's so funny! There is no income. I invest my money to pay the wages to the caretakers and buy them food instead. If I receive a donation, I immediately post a photo and a report. By the way, surprisingly, pensioners help most regularly. They call me and say that they got a pension and they will transfer 10 thousand sums (~1$). Sometimes they transfer 5 thousand (~0.5$), or a thousand (~0.1$). As much as they can afford.
On social media, you actively give dogs to a good home. Is their further destiny monitored?
Without fail! When I give a dog or a cat, I take a picture of the new owner's passport, residence permit, dog, and then I ask to send a photo of a pet regularly.
Once Alex and Barney were adopted by a man He was sending photos for some time, but when it got cold and I asked to take a photo of a doghouse. He didn't respond to me and blocked me. It was suspicious. I called a friend of mine who lived nearby and asked her to check up on dogs. They wouldn't let her in. But a few days later my friend climbed over the fence, checked up on dogs, and asked me to come immediately I rushed to that place despite being ill. Our dogs were lying on the bare cold ground, on a half-meter leash, they had lost weight and were left without food or even water! Alexa had already given birth to puppies. We cured them for a long time then. I cried so much, blamed myself for trusting that man. Alexa became a detection dog, she is everyone's favorite there. And Barney lives in the shelter, she has really improved.
If you adopt a dog from the shelter, you won't regret it. He will be more obedient, affectionate, and grateful.
What is the best gift for dogs in the shelter "Hayot"?
Your arrival! Come, they need more affection. They start to fight each other if I stay longer with one of them - every dog wants to be petted. If only volunteers came regularly, it would be a great joy. In spring dogs need to combed out, cutting knots off.
If you want to bring some feeding, then the best option would be ground cereal or oatmeal. If you can afford it - bring some mince, meat scraps, cottage cheese for ill dogs. Also, our pets do love bread! These are dogs of Uzbekistan.
Tashkent, 30.12.2020
If you are not from Uzbekistan, you can still donate using the following payment systems:
- Click
Go to click.uz
Insert the following number: +998903574477 - Paysend
Go to: paysend.com
Insert the following card number: 8600 0904 5833 1426 - Yandex wallet
Our Yandex wallet number is 4100 1164 3578 4016
For more information visit:
- Our website:
hayotislife.com - Our Instagram account: hayot_jizn_en
- Iroda's Instagram account:
matkarimovai
The original text in Russian was translated into English by Marjona Karimova lemonadefreckles_
Source: nuz.uz