Starting August 18, 2025, daily veterinary preventative and disinfection work began in all four districts of Shymkent. This decision marked an important step in protecting the health of residents and pets. While such activities were previously seasonal, they have now become permanent and are carried out every day without exception.

The primary goal of daily preventive care is to prevent the spread of infectious diseases common to humans and animals. Veterinary specialists note that zoonotic diseases, such as brucellosis and rabies, pose a real threat not only to livestock and pets, but also to humans.

Daily measures allow for early detection of diseases, prompt action, and thus the prevention of potential outbreaks. This approach has become increasingly important in recent years, as population growth, increasing urban density, and the increasing number of domestic animals create new challenges for sanitary safety.

What exactly do veterinary services do?

Specialists travel to the city's districts and carry out comprehensive work:

• vaccinate large and small cattle;

• vaccinate dogs and cats against rabies;

• carry out diagnostics and examination of animals;

• carry out disinfection of areas where there is a risk of spreading infections;

• They explain to residents the rules for caring for animals and the importance of timely vaccinations.

Thus, prevention covers not only farm animals but also pets. This is especially important in large cities, where the risk of infection through contact with stray or homeless animals is higher.

The work covers all four districts of Shymkent:

1. The Abaysky District is home to many private households with smallholdings. Specialists are focusing on livestock vaccinations and conducting educational sessions with owners.

2. The Al-Farabi district is the city center, where work with pets and control of stray animals is especially important.

3. The Yenbekshinsky District encompasses suburban and rural areas. Here, the primary burden falls on cattle and sheep vaccinations.

4. The Karatau district combines multi-story buildings and the private sector, so prevention is comprehensive and covers both pets and farm animals.

Thus, prevention affects all categories of animals in every area of the city.

Until 2025, such events were held primarily seasonally—in spring and fall. For example, in 2023, special attention was paid to vaccinating livestock against brucellosis and domestic animals against rabies. In 2024, the scope of prevention expanded, with greater emphasis on sanitization and public outreach.

However, the seasonal approach had a drawback: there was a gap between prevention cycles when the risk of disease spread increased. The new system, introduced on August 18, 2025, has radically changed the situation. Now, work is carried out daily, allowing for constant monitoring of the situation.

Furthermore, the current campaign is notable for its increased focus on pets. While previously the focus was primarily on farm animals, cats and dogs are now vaccinated and examined daily. This is especially important for protecting children, who are most frequently in contact with pets.

Why now?

Daily preventive care has become possible thanks to improvements in the veterinary service's technical resources. In recent years, new vaccines and modern equipment have been purchased, and specialists capable of performing higher-level diagnostics have been trained.

Moreover, global experience has shown that continuous veterinary monitoring is more effective than seasonal monitoring. Countries with developed preventative systems have long had daily vaccination and disinfection programs in place. Kazakhstan is gradually implementing such standards, and Shymkent was one of the first cities to implement this system.

Reaction of residents

Many residents note that the new format provides greater confidence. Pet owners are more accepting of vaccinations, recognizing their importance for the health of the entire family. Parents of young children have become especially proactive: they are more likely to visit veterinarians and inquire about pet care guidelines.

Residents of the private sector are also responding positively to the initiative. Previously, some delayed livestock vaccinations, posing a risk to neighbors. Now, thanks to the systematic work of specialists, the situation is gradually changing.

The introduction of daily veterinary inspections on August 18, 2025, was an important step in ensuring sanitary safety in Shymkent. Compared to previous years, the current campaign is distinguished by its scale, regularity, and coverage of all animal categories.

If 2023 and 2024 can be considered preparation stages, then 2025 will be the time to move to the next level. This decision will not only reduce the risk of infection but also foster a culture of animal welfare among the population.

In the future, similar programs may be implemented in other regions of Kazakhstan. Shymkent is an example of how daily preventative measures can become a reliable shield for the health of people and animals.