Nomination "Responsible for those": This unique social project was founded in Baku by Chaman Gambarova in memory of her son, who deeply loved animals.
The unconventional charitable project Ali’s Friends was established thanks to a social initiative by the Gambarov family, who love and always help abandoned animals. The touching idea to create a dog kindergarten came from a deeply personal story and great love."After a heavy loss, I searched for a long time for a way to preserve the name and bright memory of my son Ali. He was an incredibly kind child and loved animals very much. At some point, I realized that caring for them would become the brightest and most honest way for me to turn pain into goodness and usefulness. That is how Ali’s Friends was born—the first free dog kindergarten in Azerbaijan," shared physician Chaman Gambarova.
It is no secret that many pet owners occasionally have to look for a reliable haven for their four-legged companions, where they can wait in comfortable conditions for their owners to return from work or a trip. A vital feature of this non-profit project is not only the creation of a temporary stay facility for animals, but also its accessibility. Chaman Gambarova completely funds it from the family budget. The project has been running for almost three years and was initially created not as a business, but as a charitable social initiative. All services at Ali’s Friends are free of charge.
This place bears my son’s name. Therefore, it is important to me that it remains an environment of sincere care, warmth, and good intentions. The most valuable things in life must remain outside of commerce," the project’s founder emphasized.
The welcoming home for these four-legged friends is located in one of Baku's quiet neighborhoods. The kindergarten can accommodate up to 20 dogs at a time, with all the necessary conditions fully provided. A close-knit team of animal-loving staff looks after the pets. The facility is open from morning till evening, six days a week. For admission to the dog center, a veterinary passport is required, along with information from the owners regarding allergies and the pet's behavioral traits. On the kindergarten grounds, the unique pupils can not only romp in the fresh air but also rest on cozy pet beds after active games, the 'MIR24' TV channel reported.
Free two-meals-a-day catering, hygienic care, and grooming, if necessary, are provided for the furry friends. During the summer, our daily smaller brothers happily bathe and learn to swim in a pool.
"At Ali’s Friends, dogs play and have fun under the close supervision of our team—safely, actively, and productively. The kindergarten not only helps owners who are busy at work all day, but also improves the dogs' quality of life. Our mission is to strengthen the bond between humans and animals," noted Chaman Gambarova.
According to the project leader, many pets have passed through Ali’s Friends over the years: some have been there practically since the first days, while others come for the first time and become part of a large, close-knit family. The kindergarten accepts both family pets and animals that were once rescued from the streets and taken in responsibly. 'For many years, I have been actively involved in helping abandoned animals, providing both financial and practical support. Moreover, we are ready to temporarily shelter any animal rescued from the street, provided that its new owner takes care of vaccination and general care. Our center is always open to such people,' the director shared.
"This meaningful charitable project aims not only to help animals but also to foster a culture of humane and compassionate attitudes toward our four-legged companions. Joint walks, educational events, and discussions on pet health and behavior help owners feel supported and develop a more mindful attitude toward animals, 1news.az reported.
As part of this wonderful project, various educational events, social campaigns, and meetings with children are constantly held. As the project’s founder emphasized, the most important thing is that Ali’s Friends always remains a place where caring for our four-legged friends becomes part of a culture of kindness, responsibility, and respect, especially for the new generation.
"Ali’s Friends is much more than just a temporary stay facility for animals. It is a space of high responsibility. In my opinion, it is precisely such spaces that gradually foster a more humane attitude toward animals. We organize charitable and social events. We host open days and meetings with children who need special protection and care. It is particularly important to me that through interacting with dogs, children learn kindness, empathy, and a responsible attitude toward animals. If even a few people begin to treat animals with more care and warmth after learning about our project, then it already makes sense," Chaman Gambarova believes.
Photo from Chaman Gambarova’s personal archive