Homeless animals in Poland. How Can It Be Effectively Reduced? 

Animal homelessness in Poland is a much bigger problem than it may seem. It is not only individual stories of abandoned dogs and cats, but a systemic phenomenon affecting hundreds of thousands of animals and requiring long-term solutions. The latest report “Bezdomność Zwierząt w Polsce” (Animal Homelessness in Poland) [Fundacja Pomagam.pl, SWPS University, 2026] reveals the scale of the problem and presents alarming data concerning the animal care system in the country. In this article, prepared jointly with the Mam Pomysł Foundation, we take a closer look at the most important conclusions of this report. 

Scale of homelessness 

According to the report, there may be nearly one million homeless animals living in Poland, both those in shelters and those outside them. Particularly alarming are the numbers concerning animals living outside the system: approximately 72,000 dogs and as many as 750,000 cats. 

Importantly, we are unable to determine the exact scale of the phenomenon because there is no coherent registration system. This means that the problem is probably even greater than official data indicate. 

For an animal, homelessness means not only the lack of a home. It is a state of constant stress, danger, and struggle for survival. The animal loses its sense of security, which often leads to health and behavioural problems. 

A system that does not solve the problem 

Although municipalities spend enormous amounts on the care of homeless animals (approximately PLN 335 million in 2023), most of this money goes toward handling the problem rather than solving it. 

Only about 10 percent of the budget is allocated to activities preventing homelessness, such as neutering and microchipping. 

This creates a vicious cycle: 
• new homeless animals appear, 
• the system reacts only once the problem already exists, 
• costs increase, but the number of animals does not decrease. 

What really works 

The report clearly shows that preventive measures are effective: 
• Gelding and sterilization – reduce the number of unwanted litters, the main source of homelessness. 
• Microchipping and identification – make it possible to quickly locate the owner and prevent animals from “disappearing” within the system. 
• Education of guardians – builds responsibility and reduces the number of abandonments. 
• Long-term municipal programmes and cooperation with NGOs – are the only way to genuinely reduce the scale of the problem. 

What about animals that are already homeless? 

Even the best prevention will not solve the problem immediately. Thousands of animals already need care today. And this is where the quality of conditions in shelters plays a key role. 

A well-designed space: 
• reduces stress, 
• supports mental and physical health, 
• increases the chances of adoption, 
• allows better work with the animal. 

Why are investments in shelters so important? 

At the Świdnica Shelter, solutions are being implemented to improve animal welfare – including new dog parks and spaces for working with dogs. 

Thanks to the support of the Mushika Foundation, fencing for two new dog parks has been created. This is a tangible change that gives dogs a safe space for movement, allows calmer observation of their behaviour, enables behavioural work, and increases the chances of successful adoption. 

Animal homelessness is not a natural phenomenon. It is the result of human decisions, and only humans can stop it. 

Source: 
Fundacja Pomagam.pl & SWPS Innowacje. (2026). Bezdomność Zwierząt w Polsce (Animal Homelessness in Poland).