Endangered Sanctuaries: How COVID-19 Could Close Poland’s Animal Shelters

Poland is also facing one of its worst droughts in years. For charities, that translates into a rise in the cost of hay - vital food for many animals in care.

"After a few difficult years, we were getting rid of the debt created by the previous economic crisis," Rybkowska comments, wryly. "Now, suddenly, the coronavirus is putting us back again."

Established 18 years ago, with an experienced team and a high reputation, Pegasus is in a better position than many other lesser-known charities.

'We can survive for another few months':

Illustration. Photo: EPA-EFE/DAVID MARIUZ

Kraina Zwierząt (Animal Kingdom), a Milanówek-based shelter, has been in action for only about two years. By the time the pandemic struck, it had not found a strategic sponsor, nor can it apply yet for a slice of the 1 per cent of taxpayers' income.

Its co-founder, Jolanta Deńca, an art historian by training, was spurred into action after witnessing the suffering of horses at slaughter markets.

She finished her PhD, established the shelter with a friend and joined her husband in an accounting company to help generate funds for the charity.

"I don't like harsh words but yes, the situation is dramatic," she admits. "From what we have, we can survive for another two to three months. We have been saving as much as we can, by swapping higher quality food for food of average quality, for example."

Deńca says donations have dried up: "We had a small group of regular donors who supported us with 5 or 10 zloty each (1 to 2 euros), but as they were mostly pensioners, soon every cent started to matter. We have been left alone with over 40 animals."

She can't rely on state aid, either. Late in March, the Law and Justice, PiS,...

Continue reading on: