Rats have long inspired fear in people. Historically, they were blamed for spreading the plague, and today media outlets often speak about “rat infestations” and the diseases they supposedly transmit. The reality, however, is more complex. In cities with good…
Adopting a dog or a cat is a decision that changes the life of both the animal and the person. It’s a beautiful moment, but also a responsibility that lasts for many years. A well-managed adoption process increases the chances…
Just a few decades ago, the nutria was part of the fur industry. Today it has become an “environmental problem” that, under the law, should be eliminated. Nutria did not appear in Poland on their own – they were brought…
Intelligent, empathetic and… cleaner than we might think. That’s what free-living rats are really like. Yet for years they have existed in our culture mainly as a symbol of danger and filth. That is why we have launched the “Jestem…
The sensory garden at the animal shelter in Świdnica is now complete. This is the space we wrote about earlier, explaining why it is so important for dogs living in shelter conditions. Today we are no longer talking about plans.…
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…
29 January In winter, the number of reports concerning animals in need of help increases significantly. Low temperatures, moisture, and lack of shelter can quickly lead to hypothermia and, in extreme cases, death. That’s why every quick reaction matters during…
The nutria (Myocastor coypus), more precisely the American nutria, is a fairly large, semi‑aquatic rodent originating from South America. In its natural environment, it inhabits the banks of rivers, lakes, and marshes in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, and southern Brazil.…
Glue traps are widely available for sale. Often marketed as a “simple” and “effective” solution to rodent problems, in reality they are among the most cruel methods of animal control. In our publication Unknown Residents of the City: A Report…
For some, fireworks are a symbol of joy and shared celebration. For others, they are a source of fear, suffering, and real threats to life. Year after year, the true cost of loud pyrotechnic displays is discussed more openly—a cost…
In animal welfare work, one principle is key: help only makes sense when it genuinely improves the quality of animals’ lives. Both Fundacja Mam Pomysł, which runs the Shelter for Homeless Animals in Świdnica, and Fundacja Mushika follow an approach…
15 Jan The year 2025 was the first full year of activity for the Mushika Foundation, established in 2024 by Katarzyna Wypychewicz. It was a year of intensive operational, grant-making, advocacy, and expert work — from direct support for organizations…
There are collaborations that genuinely change everyday life—for animals, people, and entire communities. Such is the partnership between Fundacja Ktoś, nie coś and Fundacja Mushika. In 2025, Fundacja Mushika supported Fundacja Ktoś, nie coś with a total of PLN 160,000,…
On December 2, 2025, the President of Poland signed the Act of November 7, 2025, amending the Animal Protection Act, introducing a ban on the commercial farming of fur animals, with the exception of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). This decision concludes…
Fur-Free Day Fur-Free Day, observed on November 25, is a yearly reminder that animal suffering in the name of fashion must come to an end, and this change is truly happening. Across Europe, more and more countries are phasing out…
On December 13, 2025, in Kraków, the first conference in Poland fully dedicated to the lives of rats and their place in urban space will take place. The event “Rat: Unwanted Guest or Master of Survival” is organized on the…
This really is the final step. One signature separates us from real change for animals in Poland. The Mushika Foundation has submitted its official position to the President of the Republic of Poland, expressing support for the Act of 7…
Halloween is a time when the worlds of animals, ghosts, and human fears intertwine more than usual. Bats, black cats, and spiders have long held a place in this symbolism. But if there were a title for the most unfairly…
The amendment to the Animal Protection Act of 17 October 2025 is one of the most significant steps in the history of animal protection in Poland. It introduces a ban on the commercial keeping and breeding of fur animals. Importantly,…
Nutriowisko – ośrodek, w którym znajdują schronienie nutrie odławiane z miejskich terenów, powstało i rozwijało się dzięki ogromnemu zaangażowaniu niewielkiego zespołu Fundacji Łapa i Las, który mimo ograniczonych zasobów, dbał o jego codzienne funkcjonowanie. Dzięki grantowi Fundacji Mushika, realizowanemu w…