Education Day in Ktosiowo — Knowledge, Empathy and Cooperation in Action

A special Education Day took place at the Ktosiowo Sanctuary on 29 September 2025, bringing together theory, practice and collective action for animals. The event was initiated by the Mushika Foundation, which provided plant‑based catering and gifts for participants, and was co‑organised by: the Someone, Not Something Foundation, the Lawyers for Animals Association, and the We Are Close Foundation.

The goal of Education Day was to show that knowledge and empathy can go hand in hand — both in schools and in the work of public services and local communities.

Education in Practice

The morning began with a lesson at Primary School No. 6 in Grodzisk Mazowiecki, where Marzena Łabędzka from the Lawyers for Animals Association spoke with children about how to recognise mistreatment of animals. The students impressed everyone with their understanding of dogs’ needs and their empathetic approach to animal care.

At the same time, a training session for Police officers, municipal officials and local guards was held, led by Maria Januszczyk. The topic was “Legal protection of animals in theory and practice” — a meeting that was planned for three hours but turned into more than five hours of discussion. This shows that awareness and readiness to act for animals are growing within public institutions as well.

Volunteers Visit the Ktosiowo Sanctuary

The next part of the day was a visit from volunteers from the Stanisław Staszic Secondary School Complex No. 3 in Włoszczowa, working within the We Are Close Foundation. The students toured the Sanctuary, meeting its residents — from the horses Smerf and Pirat, to the blind goat Wiktorek, and the dog Maczeta, who is waiting for adoption.

The young volunteers helped with daily tasks: grooming ponies, feeding raccoons, walking dogs, and building a goat enclosure near Karusek’s House. It was a lesson no classroom could offer.

The day concluded with a session led by Sara Obrzud on the legal aspects of horse care, giving participants insight into the real challenges of ensuring animal welfare.

At the end of the day, everyone gathered for a plant‑based barbecue — a moment of rest and conversation about how each of us can influence the lives of animals. Education Day in Ktosiowo is more than an event — it is a model of cooperation showing that systemic change is possible when knowledge, empathy and practical action come together.

Our Partnership with Ktosiowo

The Mushika Foundation regularly supports the development of the Ktosiowo Sanctuary. We funded its relocation to a new, larger site, giving its residents a safe space for living and rehabilitation. Every month, we donate 10,000 PLN to the statutory activities of the Someone, Not Something Foundation, enabling its continued growth and professional care for animals.

Together, we are also working on building a shelter for organised groups and a restroom adapted for people with special needs, so that the Sanctuary can welcome everyone who wants to meet its residents.

Respect knows no species — this principle guides all our actions. In Ktosiowo, we saw how knowledge, sensitivity and cooperation can truly change the world of animals — and people.