Women working voluntarily for the association supporting homeless cats approached Piotr Roman, asking him to immediately increase the annual grant. In a letter to the mayor, they explained that the previous annual grant of PLN 50,000 had not changed at all for seven years and was insufficient to fully cover all the necessary needs of free-roaming animals.

The women complained that during the 15 years they had been caring for the animals, rates for veterinary services—including sterilization, castration, treatment and keeping animals, as well as the purchase of medicines and fees for wet and dry food—had risen radically. The current cost of sterilizing a female cat is PLN 300, while veterinarians charge PLN 150 for neutering a male cat. Moreover, the grant amount negotiated seven years ago became absolutely insufficient in the face of the economic crisis and progressing inflation, covering only part of their needs. The actual grant amount in 2024 was approximately PLN 90,000.

“Every year, the Bolesławiec City Council adopts a program for caring for homeless animals and preventing animal homelessness in the municipal area of Bolesławiec,” explains city hall spokesperson Agnieszka Gergont. “The program applies to all animals, in particular dogs and cats, including free-roaming animals and farm animals staying in Bolesławiec,” the official adds.

Agnieszka Gergont also reported that the 2025 program will allocate PLN 250,000 for caring for homeless animals, under which contracts are concluded every year. This year, the amount was PLN 96,710 gross (as of October 30, 2024).

We did not receive an answer as to whether the Animal Welfare Association will receive the requested PLN 90,000 grant in 2025.

Response from Bolesławiec City Hall

A place for homeless animals from Bolesławiec is provided by the “KWISA” Association of Municipalities Shelter for Homeless Small Animals, Przylasek 18, 59-816 Platerówka.

Care for free-roaming cats from Bolesławiec is entrusted to associations whose statutory objective is animal protection. An open call for proposals is announced every year to support the implementation of public tasks by non-governmental organizations and other entities authorized to operate in the public-benefit sphere, whose statutory objective is animal protection. The assignment covers the task: “Ecology and animal protection, and protection of natural heritage—improving the living conditions of free-roaming animals, particularly cats, in the city of Bolesławiec.” The task includes activities aimed at the humane treatment of animals, providing them with protection and care, including: 1) medical and veterinary care for free-roaming cats requiring treatment; 2) sterilization and castration of free-roaming cats; 3) purchasing, obtaining and distributing food (feeding during the autumn and winter period); 4) finding temporary homes for free-roaming cats.

Expenditure from the city budget allocated to caring for homeless animals and preventing animal homelessness in the city is as follows:

2022 – PLN 407,815, including:

Care for homeless animals under annual contracts titled: “Medical and veterinary care for homeless animals from the municipal area of Bolesławiec—in particular, providing 24-hour veterinary care in cases of road accidents involving animals”: PLN 88,413.

Ecology and animal protection, and protection of natural heritage—improving the living conditions of free-roaming animals, particularly cats, in the city of Bolesławiec: PLN 50,000.

Contributions toward the operation of the animal shelter in Przylasek: PLN 269,402.

2023 – PLN 477,523, including:

  1. Care for homeless animals under annual contracts titled: “Medical and veterinary care for homeless animals from the municipal area of Bolesławiec—in particular, providing 24-hour veterinary care in cases of road accidents involving animals”: PLN 120,755.00.
  2. Ecology and animal protection, and protection of natural heritage—improving the living conditions of free-roaming animals, particularly cats, in the city of Bolesławiec: PLN 50,000.
  3. Contributions toward the operation of the animal shelter in Przylasek: PLN 306,768.

2024 – PLN 500,993.52 (as of October 30, 2024), including:

  1. Care for homeless animals under annual contracts titled: “Medical and veterinary care for homeless animals from the municipal area of Bolesławiec—in particular, providing 24-hour veterinary care in cases of road accidents involving animals”: PLN 96,710 gross (as of October 30, 2024)
  2. Ecology and animal protection, and protection of natural heritage—improving the living conditions of free-roaming animals, particularly cats, in the city of Bolesławiec: PLN 50,000 gross
  3. Contributions toward the operation of the animal shelter in Przylasek: PLN 354,283.52.

Plan for 2025 – approximately PLN 662,022.50, including:

  1. Care for homeless animals under annual contracts titled: “Medical and veterinary care for homeless animals from the municipal area of Bolesławiec—in particular, providing 24-hour veterinary care in cases of road accidents involving animals”: PLN 250,000.
  2. Ecology and animal protection, and protection of natural heritage—improving the living conditions of free-roaming animals, particularly cats, in the city of Bolesławiec: PLN 60,000.
  3. Contributions toward the operation of the animal shelter in Przylasek: PLN 352,022.50.