This shows that animal homelessness in Poland remains at a very high level, and many animals can count only on a concrete kennel in one of the shelters instead of a comfortable sofa in their own home. It should also be borne in mind that there are significantly more animals looking for homes than the statistics show, as they do not include animals under the care of non-governmental organizations.
The Supreme Audit Office decided to examine the phenomenon of homelessness by conducting an inspection, the result of which was a report published in 2016. It shows that municipalities undertake a number of measures aimed at providing care for homeless animals, but these remain ineffective when it comes to preventing homelessness. At the same time, the same report clearly indicated what needs to be done to solve the problem of animal homelessness—namely, neutering and permanent identification.
ZWIERZowa Akcja Kastracja! initiated by the ZWIERZ Foundation is a project created in response to the existing problem. Its aim is to actively support rural and urban-rural municipalities in introducing free neutering and permanent identification programs for dogs and cats kept under the care of residents, as well as free-roaming cats, and, in the long term, to permanently reduce animal homelessness.
The Foundation provides municipalities with financial support on a “half-and-half” basis. This means that each municipality joining ZWIERZowa Akcja Kastracja! allocates PLN 5,000 for the procedures, while the ZWIERZ Foundation provides the municipality with an additional PLN 5,000 as a donation.
In addition to financial support, municipal employees can participate in a series of free training sessions conducted by experts in animal rights protection. At every stage of the project, the ZWIERZ Foundation provides substantive support, including assistance in creating programs for caring for homeless animals and preventing animal homelessness, as well as preparing the documents necessary to introduce Akcja Kastracja! in the municipality.
Moreover, municipalities receive personalized materials to promote Akcja Kastracja! among residents and to publicize effective methods of combating animal homelessness, as well as guides on preventing animal homelessness in municipalities and caring for free-roaming cats.
ZWIERZowa Akcja Kastracja! is focused on cooperation with municipal authorities. However, organizations and individuals who work, or want to begin working, to combat animal homelessness in their area are also invited to join the initiative. The task of cooperating organizations and individuals is to speak with municipal authorities and encourage them to introduce effective solutions to combat animal homelessness, including Akcja Kastracja!. Before meetings at municipal offices, activists will participate in free training sessions to prepare properly.
Registration for the third edition of Akcja Kastracja! is currently open. Applications can be submitted via the form on the website. For cooperating organizations and individuals, registration is open until August 31, while municipalities can apply until October 31. More information about the initiative and the application form are available at www.akcjakastracja.org.
TOGETHER WE WILL REDUCE ANIMAL HOMELESSNESS!