The kindest flash mob. How to help animals unite volunteers from all over Belarus

Remove the aviary, walk the dog, play with the cat or help her find a house - volunteers of the Belarusian Republican Youth Union have joined in this work. All these cases became part of the marathon “Dobro.Bel”. November is dedicated to helping animals.

Students from the “Technology of Good” detachment of the Belarusian State Technological University gathered a team of volunteers ready to regularly go to shelters. The guys contacted several organizations to find out where additional forces were needed. The offer of cooperation was answered by a mini-shelter “House of Saved Souls” in the agro-town of Gatovo, Minsk district, where 15 dogs and 30 cats now live.

The first trip was joined by Deputy Secretary of the primary organization BRSM BSTU Anna Pashkevich-Sherstneva. She got acquainted with the peculiarities of such work and gave a little warmth to cats that were left without owners:

- After the trip, I realized how much the animals needed attention. You can see how happy they are when they talk to them, stroke them. I am sure that even a few hours spent with pets help them feel calmer and happier.

One of the volunteers was a freshman of BSTU Evgenia Podbolotova. The girl loves animals since childhood - this interest was supported by her parents and grandmother. At present, two cats and a rabbit live at Eugene’s house.

In The House of Saved Souls. Zhenya visited more than once: she began to help the orphanage even before entering the university and knows all its inhabitants well not only by name. A volunteer can tell you something special about each animal:

- For example, the Count is the largest dog in the shelter. His paw was recently amputated, but that hasn't changed his character: he's still cheerful and affectionate. Radka is the most good-natured. She easily comes into contact with other animals, does not show aggression to cats or dogs.

Among the cats, Eugenie also has a favorite - Mr. Cat. Due to the immunodeficiency virus, it cannot live with other pets and is in a quarantine cage. But even such conditions did not deprive him of cheerfulness, the student shares his observations:

- It surprises me that living in isolation has no effect on him. He is very active, reaches out to people and talks a lot. Volunteers of Grodno secondary school No. 42 Alexandra Halko and Emilia Mozhger are not the first year to help tails. During the marathon "Dobro.Bel" they together with their peers visited the wards of the temporary detention of stray animals. For several weeks, the children collected food, diapers, collars, toys, leashes throughout the school, Sasha lists:

- We offered to join the trip to everyone – to transfer gifts, to meet pets.

Feeding, playing and walking - this is the minimum plan of students during visits. Each ward needs an individual approach. For example, in the detention center there is a blind dog: it scatters small dry food, so it can be offered only wet. Another dog is afraid of loud noises and does not tolerate the neighborhood with other animals, so he is taken out separately for a walk, Emilia says:

- There's everyone's favorite. Among them is a dog named Misha. He is very friendly and affectionate, always the first to meet volunteers. I also got attached to the dogs Ty and Sirius. They are very active and always ready for any games.

The girls admit that they do not have pets. But last month, Alexandra picked up a homeless kitten on the street and gave it to his grandmother:

- She lives in the village, so there is a real expanse for the cat. We called him Buffy: at first he was shy and shy, but quickly settled into a new house and began to prank. I think that such actions as “Good Animals” are very necessary. In the fuss and worries we often forget our smaller brothers. They don’t need much: food, a roof over their heads and our love.

THEME

Until recently, the five furry inhabitants of Alexandria had one house for all - a box near a local store. Affectionate and contact animals - two three-colored kittens and their mother, one redhead and one gray pawless cat - were looking for loyal and kind hosts, ready to give them care. At the weekend, during a firewood pick in his small homeland, Alexander Lukashenko pityed homeless people – the video was published on the page “PUL INSID” in Instagram. A few days later, the account was happy news: the animals found their home! One kitten was taken by a young family from Minsk, the second – now lives in Grodno. The three-colored mother-cat went to Smorgon, and the gray three-legged found a family in Zhabinka. The red cat will soon be in loving hands.

gardevich@sb.by

Photos of Pavel Bogush, from the personal archive of heroes and provided by the primary BRSM BSTU