Tashkent International Airport introduced shelters for stray cats, press service of Uzbekistan Airports announced. The cat houses were placed in the green zone between the hall and the main departure terminal building.
“Cats are natural inhabitants of urban environments… They have always been a part of the capital’s airport. The benefits of these animals are undeniable; beyond their aesthetic charm, they are skilled hunters that help control house mice and even rats. We’ve had the idea to provide them with shelters for a long time, but due to the ongoing construction works at the airport, it only became possible now,” the company press service said.
The design of the cat houses was developed in collaboration with the Mushukkent project and students from Tashkent Institute of Architecture and Construction. The shelters were installed in safe locations to ensure the safety of both airport operations and the animals themselves.
The houses are made from anti-vandal, fireproof and eco-friendly materials. They are equipped with heating for colder seasons and ventilation for the summer heat.
“For Uzbekistan Airports, this is primarily a social project that reflects the company’s and its employees' attitude toward animals. Just as a theater begins with its cloakroom, a country begins with its airport, and these cat houses are a symbol of care not only on the company level, but also for the city and the country as a whole. We are pleased to support this wonderful initiative and contribute to the efforts of the nation’s animal welfare organizations,” the company added.
