Mission
We develop long-term, evidence-based solutions: from grants for animal welfare organisations, through educational campaigns, to initiatives that support humane and ethical management of animals in public spaces. We believe that effective support for animals requires not only compassion, but also knowledge, collaboration and scalable actions with measurable social impact.
The Mushika Foundation is an organisation dedicated to supporting animals, with a particular focus on those that are least visible and underrepresented in public debate. We combine empathy with a systemic approach, supporting aid, educational and research projects that genuinely improve animal welfare and help foster more responsible relationships between people and animals.
Thank you for visiting our Foundation’s website. Below, we share a few reflections on where our motivation comes from and how, step by step, our commitment to working for the benefit of animals has developed.
Beginnings
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.
Katarzyna Wypychewicz
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.
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.
Focusing on farm animals can do the most good, because there are so many of them and the conditions they often live in are really tough.
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.
Olga Kazalska
I hold a PhD in law and work as a legal advisor and legislative expert, with years of experience in high-level public administration and international NGOs. I also have an academic background and a record of published research.
My expertise lies in legal issues that require an interdisciplinary approach—particularly in climate regulation, environmental protection, and animal welfare.
At the WWF Poland Foundation and Humane World for Animals, I led advocacy efforts for the green transition, biodiversity protection, and improving the situation of animals in Poland and globally. I completed legislative training at the Government Legislation Centre, as well as postgraduate studies in legislation at the University of Warsaw and in sustainable development at the University of Economics in Katowice.
I see my work as a personal mission. I feel deeply connected to nature and firmly believe that one of the key challenges of our time—both socially and systemically—is the loss of the human-nature connection. This sense of disconnection leads to misunderstanding, ignorance, and growing conflict. That’s why I want to help rebuild this bond—through law, education, communication, and collective action.
At the Mushika Foundation, which I co-founded, we strive to help people develop a deeper awareness of how nature functions, build a better relationship with it, and foster mutual respect—toward themselves, others, and the world.
We work on multiple levels: systemically—laying the groundwork for stronger environmental and animal welfare protections—and through direct intervention, wherever the fate of a particular animal, place, or ecosystem is at risk.
In my daily work, I apply my legal knowledge to turn regulations into real change—including in individual cases. At the same time, we’re committed to education and raising public awareness—so that nature is no longer seen as something distant and separate, but rather as something familiar, shared, and meaningful.
I’m driven by a sense of purpose, impact, and the opportunity to co-create lasting, large-scale systemic change.
I believe that kindness and respect have the power to transform—people, relationships, and the world.
The foundation was established in 2024 and is currently managed by Katarzyna Wypychewicz.
At this stage of the organization’s development, the management board consists of one person so that the foundation can operate as flexibly as possible and respond effectively to needs. This structure allows for quick decision-making and flexible adaptation of activities.
In the future, we plan to increase the scale of our activities, which will also increase the number of board members. This will enable us to implement larger projects and develop our activities in new areas.
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.