By Dawid Karkocha | Project Leader
Over the past quarter, our team at the Vet-Alert Foundation has remained deeply committed to creating real, lasting change for animals in need. We are pleased to share the progress we have made thanks to the continued support of our donors.
1. Construction of a Safe Animal Care Center
We have been intensively continuing the renovation of our headquarters, which will soon become a safe intervention center for animals who are abused, neglected, or in urgent need of veterinary care. The renovation is progressing steadily, with several new rooms already prepared for future use.
Importantly, the new space will also allow us to expand our mission beyond rescue and medical care.
We will be able to host educational and informational programs for pet guardians, offering workshops, consultations, and awareness activities that promote responsible animal care and welfare.
This dual purpose — direct help and community education — is a key step toward creating long-term, systemic improvements for animals in Poland.
2. Legal Battle for Charitable Veterinary Care
We continue our legal fight for the right to provide charitable veterinary care in our own clinic. Our foundation’s veterinary facility was removed from the official registry solely because we supported animals in need without charging for our services.
We are currently fighting this decision in court. Securing legal recognition of charitable veterinary care is essential not only for our work, but for thousands of animals who rely on nonprofit assistance across the country.
3. National Petition: Extending Rabies Vaccination Validity
In response to widespread public concern and emerging scientific data, we prepared and launched a national petition calling for an extension of the mandatory rabies vaccination interval in Poland — from one year to three years, in line with international standards.
The petition was officially submitted to both the Polish Parliament (Sejm) and the Senate.
To date, over 18.500 people have signed in support.
This initiative is an important step toward more rational, science-based vaccination policies that better reflect modern veterinary knowledge and improve animal welfare.
4. Defending the Foundation Against SLAPP
Unfortunately, our progress continues to be hindered by targeted actions from the President of the West Pomeranian Chamber of Veterinary Medicine. We are currently facing numerous SLAPP-type proceedings — including dozens of lawsuits, disciplinary investigations, inspections, and other forms of procedural pressure.
These actions do not relate to any wrongdoing on our part. Instead, they appear intended to silence our public-interest work, obstruct our mission, and discourage us from speaking out about systemic issues in the veterinary sector.
Despite this pressure, we remain steadfast. We continue to defend ourselves in court and remain fully committed to transparency, public service, and protecting animals.
Closing Thoughts: Your support has helped us persevere through a uniquely challenging period. Thanks to you, we are building a safe center for animals, educating the public, fighting for fair veterinary laws, and protecting the rights of organizations working for animal welfare.
We still have a long road ahead — but with your partnership, every step brings us closer to creating a safer, more just world for animals in Poland.
Thank you for standing with us.
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