The enterprise has facilities able to accommodate 110 dogs: 85 in unheated enclosures and 18 in heated ones. There are also 36 cages for cats. Their occupancy usually depends on the season: animal numbers peak in summer as kittens and puppies are born. «We can accommodate up to about 240 animals at most. All incoming animals undergo mandatory veterinary examination, vaccination against rabies and viral diseases, and are then placed in cages and enclosures. We have long-term residents, but animals are usually adopted within the first month. Little ones find owners almost immediately. We look for new homes for animals via social media, collaborate with animal protection organizations, and take part in offsite campaigns. Not so long ago the administration of Minsk’s Moskovsky District gave us good publicity, and people literally took all the animals off our hands over the weekend,» Olga Khurgina said.

All animals brought to the Fauna of the City enterprise are scanned for microchips. «It is extremely rare for microchipped animals to end up in our hands. As a rule, if a microchipped animal gets lost, we understand that the owner takes a responsible attitude to the pet and quickly starts looking for it. Such animals are found within 24 hours. In other words, microchipping is a very effective mechanism. We give all animals away to new owners completely free of charge. If a former owner comes to claim a pet, they must reimburse us for the cost of its upkeep. This small sum also includes vaccination,» the deputy director informed.

She stressed that the enterprise personnel practice a very responsible approach to animal placement and will not trust a four-legged pet to just anyone. «For example, during spring and autumn clean-up campaigns, we take our pets to every district of the city, and residents can adopt an animal right in their courtyard. We hold a short interview with all potential owners: where they will live (their own home or rented apartment), whether there are allergies, and whether all family members agree to live with the animal. Because sometimes people come on impulse to adopt someone without thinking through all the nuances, and there are many. We also ask whether new owners are ready to tolerate inconvenience because young kittens and puppies usually damage property. We remind everyone that dogs need walking in any weather regardless of how you feel: even if you are running a fever, you must get up and go for a walk even in 25C below zero. The family budget is also important, as veterinary care must be kept in mind,» Olga Khurgina stated.