Help knows no species

Executive Director

The foundation was established in 2024 and is currently managed by Katarzyna Wypychewicz. At this stage of the organisation's development, the board is a single-person entity to allow the foundation to operate as nimbly and efficiently as possible in responding to needs. This structure enables quick decision-making and flexible adaptation to a dynamically changing environment.

The organsation was founded with growth in mind, so we plan to expand the board in the future. This will allow us to undertake larger projects and develop our activities in new areas. We not only aim to provide grants for animal protection projects but also to offer consultancy to smaller organisations, supporting them in achieving their missions.

Program Council

The Foundation's Program Council acts as an advisory body, aimed at supporting the foundation's board in achieving its statutory goals. The Program Council provides substantive advice, opinions, and recommendations, thus aiding in the development and effectiveness of the foundation's activities.

Objectives of the Program Council:

  • Supporting the foundation's board in making strategic decisions.

  • Providing expert knowledge and experience related to the foundation's activities.

  • Consulting and reviewing key initiatives and projects undertaken by the foundation.

  • Proposing new directions for development and innovative solutions.

We are in the process of formally confirming the membership of the Council. We invite individuals and institutions interested in supporting our mission and goals to collaborate with us.

Hello and welcome!

I appreciate you taking the time to explore the foundation that I've had the privilege to start. Here, you'll find insights into the passion that fuels my mission.

Warm regards,

Katarzyna Wypychewicz

Founder & Executive Director

My journey in animal ethics

Beginnings

I was five or six when I first discovered where meat comes from, and straight away I felt very strongly against it. Growing up in Poland, my parents weren’t vegetarian, but they tried to teach me kindness towards animals around me. It was never an option to kill a spider in our house. Insects were taken outside too. We were always adopting dogs and other stray animals; we sometimes had cats, pet rats, and a rabbit, too.

Fast forward to my teenage years and you find an activist in the making. I remember spending time collecting signatures for petitions to stop live transport of horses or to stop whale hunting. I was even protesting in front of circuses that included animals when they visited our town.

But this was often impulse-based, and chaotic. Even though over the years I read a lot about philosophy and sociology, it took me a long time to start thinking more philosophically and systematically about the way society treats animals.

India

studied Comparative Civilisations at the Faculty of Philosophy at Jagiellonian University and Asian Politics at SOAS in London. Due to my academic interests, this was also the time of my first trips to India. This country is full of contrasts, also regarding attitudes towards animals. Although their role and status in the culture are high, the living conditions and treatment of animals can be cruel. Nonetheless, a large group of Indians are vegetarians, and I could once again see how culture influences the treatment of animals. These experiences taught me that the fight for animal rights must be adapted to local conditions in different parts of the world.

Why Farm Animals?

One deep-seated cultural distinction is between animals we consider pets and those we eat. As a European, I've chosen to focus primarily on those treated worst within our cultural sphere—namely, farm animals.

I began delving deeper into industrial farming, realising my calling was to challenge and change this cruel system. Even though we may not be able to completely eradicate it at once, any improvement in the welfare of these animals or assistance to individuals rescued from such conditions is crucial.

Law

I know that changes do not happen overnight. I continually learn and educate myself to help as effectively as possible, utilising available resources. In 2022, I completed postgraduate studies in Animal Law at SWPS University. These studies helped me understand how shaping regulations and navigating legal frameworks can support us in protecting animals.

Effective Altruism

I'm closely aligned with the effective altruism movement, which partly informs my focus on farm animals. In effective altruism, the goal is to have the greatest positive impact possible with limited resources. By concentrating on farm animals, we stand to do the most good due to their vast numbers and often dire living conditions. This approach could significantly improve the welfare of a large number of beings by efficiently using the resources we have at our disposal.

Cats and dogs

Dogs have always held a special place in my heart. In my efforts to support animal welfare, I don't want to overlook the companions we share our homes with. I'm keen to support numerous Polish organisations fighting against homelessness and cruelty towards dogs and cats. They do tremendous work, collectively making the lives of hundreds of thousands of animals better and safer. Looking at the issue from an efficiency of aid perspective – thanks to the solid legal foundations and the deep-seated concern for dogs and cats in our culture, we have a strong starting point for making a real impact in this area.

......and all the other living creatures

Similarly, the exploitation of animals for their fur and their use in circuses are subjects of increasing scrutiny. The level of public opposition to these forms of animal exploitation appears to be significant enough that we are not far from completely eradicating these cruel practices. Hence, they represent readily achievable victories in the fight for a better future for animals and in my opinion are causes well worth championing.