On 23–24 May 2026, the 1st National Animal Protection Law Forum took place at the University of Szczecin. It was the first event of its kind in Poland to address the legal, social, and ethical dimensions of animal protection on such a broad scale. The Forum provided a platform for exchanging knowledge and experience between academics, NGOs, legal professionals, and people working to improve animal welfare.
The event was jointly organized by five university student organizations dedicated to animal law:
Animal Rights Student Society, Faculty of Law and Administration, University of WarsawAnimal Rights Student Society, Kazimierz Wielki University in BydgoszczLex Animalia, University of SzczecinAnimal Rights Student Society, SWPS UniversityAnimal Rights Student Society, Krakow University of EconomicsBringing Different Communities TogetherThe Forum had a nationwide and interdisciplinary character. Its programme featured expert panel discussions, academic presentations, practical workshops, and networking opportunities aimed at strengthening cooperation between NGOs, universities, and public institutions working in the field of animal protection.The programme included:
expert panels featuring academics, lawyers, and animal protection practitioners,presentations by undergraduate and doctoral students as part of the Young Science Panels,practical workshops, including pre-veterinary first aid training,opportunities to exchange experiences and build partnerships between organizations, academia, and public institutions.Mushika Foundation as an Honorary PatronMushika Foundation served as an honorary patron of the event and supported its organization by funding a plant-based catering service for participants.Our participation in the Forum was a natural extension of our everyday work focused on education, the ethics of human–animal coexistence, and promoting a more responsible approach to animals living in urban environments.Presentation on Free-Living RatsOn the second day of the Forum, Olga Kazalska, Managing Director of Mushika Foundation, delivered a presentation entitled
“Unknown City Residents: A Report on Free-Living Rats.”The presentation explored public perceptions of free-living rats, their role in the urban ecosystem, and the need to move beyond narratives based solely on fear and extermination. It was based on the findings of our report
Unknown City Residents: A Report on Free-Living Rats.Throughout the Forum, Mushika Foundation also hosted an information stand where participants could learn more about our educational activities and receive a printed copy of the report.Animal Protection as a Growing Public IssueThe 1st National Animal Protection Law Forum demonstrated that animal welfare and the relationship between humans and other species are becoming increasingly important topics in both public and academic debate in Poland.The event also created an opportunity to discuss how to build a more responsible, compassionate, and forward-looking approach to animal protection—both for animals that share our homes and for those that share our cities.
