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Poznań, Poland

Shelter in Poland

Did you know purpose‑built facilities reduce stress behaviors compared with improvised housing? This project co‑funded a modern shelter now serving animals year‑round.

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Build, Equip & Open

Funding provided: €198,000

In Poznań, a new chapter for animal welfare began with the opening of a purpose-built shelter designed for both comfort and care. Together with local partners, Global Animal Aid co-funded the construction and equipment of a modern facility that now serves animals year-round in a safe, well-organized environment.

The shelter includes 80 spacious kennels, a dedicated quarantine area, a veterinary exam room, and cat rooms designed with vertical climbing space to reduce stress. There’s also a meet-and-greet adoption room, storage and laundry facilities, and an enclosed outdoor yard where animals can enjoy fresh air and play. Acoustic panels reduce noise, while thoughtful zoning keeps species and temperaments separate for calmer, healthier housing.

Beyond infrastructure, the project focused on community engagement. Open days invited residents to tour the shelter, meet adoptable pets, and join as volunteers or foster families. These events helped build local ownership — turning the shelter into a community space, not just a rescue center.

From blueprint to grand opening, the project was driven by one goal: to create a place where animals could heal, volunteers could help, and compassion could thrive every single day.

Designed for welfare

Zoned, quiet housing — reduced reactivity and easier cleaning routines.

On‑site vet care — shorter time from intake to treatment, better pain control.

Community hub — open days boosted adoptions and supply drives.

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Rubber feet, soft closers, and acoustic panels cut kennel echo that can keep stress elevated all day. Quieter rooms help dogs rest and recover between walks. Staff report fewer headaches and smoother feeding rounds.
Vertical shelves, hide‑boxes, and sunny ledges turn nervous pacers into window watchers. Cats that can climb and perch feel in control; stress drops and grooming returns. Visitors notice the calm—and adoptions follow.
A living‑room‑style space lets families relax and animals show their best selves. Softer light, comfy chairs, a toy basket: tiny touches that create real connections. Matches made here stick.
A kettle, clear shifts, and quick “thank you” notes keep people coming back. Retention is strategy: experienced volunteers know the routines that make shelters safer. Morale is a welfare tool.

What People Are Saying

“It feels clean, calm, and welcoming — a model others now visit to learn from.”
- Agata Wiśniewska, Volunteer — Poznań, Poland
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