One group of students want to make a difference for furry friends found in a rough spot: Almaty’s abandoned dogs and cats.
The student organization KIMEP Charity, known for its Secret Santa program that connects students with local orphanages to make sure everyone receives a New Year’s gift, will expand its outreach to local animal shelters.
“Help for animals is just as important as helping people,” said Zarina Bitim, head of the new animal welfare department for the charity. “We will try to help as many shelters as possible in maintaining animals; showing due care and attention, to the point where we could visit animals and spend more time with them; finding new owners and new warm homes for animals.”
Previously, the charity had raised money for overcrowded shelters. Now it is dedicating a full department to animal care.
On Valentine’s Day, KIMEP Charity collaborated with Almaty’s New Chance animal shelter to raise money for food and medication for 100 dogs, five cats, and one donkey by selling Valentine’s cards to students.
“All of them are cared for 24/7 by workers and several volunteers who help with walking the dogs,” said New Chance shelter President Marina Kim.
“We plan to cooperate with this shelter in the future,” said Bitim, “but we will try to help other shelters too.”
As animal shelters experience overcrowding, Bitim said she believes that KIMEP Charity could help to maintain some by disseminating the information on social networks and talking about overcrowding at shelters.
“Cats live in mini-houses and dogs live in dog kennels,” said former KIMEP Charity president Diyara Yergali. “There were 10 of us, we brought pet food, all the necessities, and also, we donated money on Valentine’s Day, and of course played with animals for a little.”
“It was a very interesting and exciting experience for me because I visited a shelter for the first time ever,” said Yergali. “The shelter is about 30 minutes away from the city. Basically, it is located out of Almaty.”
“There were Huskies, German Shepherds, and more,” she said. “I was amazed yet sad that all these beautiful dogs and animals were left out. However, I saw how the workers treat the animals, they express a lot of love and care for them.”
Alima Zhaksylyk, Bang College of Business alumna 24’, founded the KIMEP Charity organization in 2022. Since then, KIMEP Charity constantly makes charitable events with the assistance of students from our university and everyone who participates all around our country.
Editor’s Note: Sara Kerimbek is a member of KIMEP Charty.