Together for Free-Living Cats. We Begin Cooperation with the Municipality of Dobrodzień

Free-living cats are part of our cities and villages. They are not homeless in the literal sense – their home is the space where they live. But that does not mean they can manage entirely on their own. They need support: treatment, neutering, shelter and systemic solutions. That is why we are beginning cooperation with the Municipality of Dobrodzień.

This will not be a one-off initiative, but a two-year plan focused on concrete actions and real support in the field, designed to bring long-term results.

What do we want to do?

Under the agreement, we will allocate 112,400 PLN to implement the project. These funds will allow us to finance, among other things:

• sterilisation and neutering procedures for free-living cats,

• microchipping with registration in a database,

• treatment and post-operative care,

• the purchase of food, cat houses and humane live traps,

• preparation of educational materials for residents.

Why does this matter? Because population control through sterilisation and neutering is the only effective and humane solution. Treatment, microchipping, providing shelter and regular feeding significantly improve the quality of life of the animals – and reduce the number of emergency interventions in the future.

Cooperation model

As the Mushika Foundation, we are responsible for financing the activities, providing expert support, and coordinating communication and educational efforts. The Municipality of Dobrodzień takes on what matters most in practice: work in the field.

This means cooperating with volunteer caregivers of free-living cats and identifying places where the animals live. It also includes organising the humane capture of cats, transport to veterinary clinics and ensuring post-treatment care. In addition, the municipality will distribute food and shelters for the cats and regularly monitor whether the actions are bringing results and how many animals still require support.

According to the Polish Animal Protection Act, the care of free-living cats is a statutory responsibility of municipalities. Cooperation with the Mushika Foundation will allow Dobrodzień to fulfil this obligation in a more comprehensive and effective way, aligned with the real needs of the animals.

Education also helps

On 17–19 July 2026, we will meet with residents during the Dobrodzień Days (Dni Dobrodzienia), where together with the local government and volunteer cat caregivers we will organise an educational stand.

This is because educational activities are an integral part of the project.

We will also jointly publish articles, posts and materials that explain the needs of free-living cats and show how people can help them effectively.

How we celebrate Cat Day

Cat Day is the perfect moment to remember that not all cats have a home, a human of their own, a comfortable sofa and a full bowl.

Not all of them can be “adopted”.

But every one of them deserves a dignified and safe life.

We cannot change everything at once, but we can take care of what is here and now. This cooperation gives us the tools to do that wisely – in the field, together with the local community.