#HOWTO
Become A Volunteer In Poland
Looking for a charity organisation , expectation vs reality,
volunteer duties and animal welfare in Poland
volunteer duties and animal welfare in Poland
A Personal Reflection on "Charity" concept
I have asked myself once, «Why some people try to help and change the world and others do not?»
Like most people, I did not see anything in charity but sacrifice, pain and begging for money for treatment. Pictures of sad ill children,maimed animals. I could not understand these people. For what? Why are they doing it? How we can help and save others when there is so much pain in the world?
I met a person in 2016 who showed me the true charity and this discovery blew my mind. The girl who wanted to change attitude to charity and she did. Her app MeetForCharity gets millions today.
Thanks to her I have learned one thing: help should be fun.
Like most people, I did not see anything in charity but sacrifice, pain and begging for money for treatment. Pictures of sad ill children,maimed animals. I could not understand these people. For what? Why are they doing it? How we can help and save others when there is so much pain in the world?
I met a person in 2016 who showed me the true charity and this discovery blew my mind. The girl who wanted to change attitude to charity and she did. Her app MeetForCharity gets millions today.
Thanks to her I have learned one thing: help should be fun.
I left this girl later and started to work in another agency and even ran my own charity campaign, but I was overcome with this feeling that something is going wrong. It doesn't work the way it is supposed to.
And then we moved to Poland.
To be honest, we did not notice at once that there were no homeless animals on the streets. All cats and dogs were groomed and there were obvious that they all have their owners. That's when I realized I live in a European country. With the blast from the past of USSR sometimes but nevertheless it was Europe. After some research, I found lots of people volunteering in shelters and funds, dozens of charity organizations and state support de jure as well as de facto. And I wanted to become a part of the community.
And here I am asking myself in 2019 again: «Why some people try to help and change the world and others do not?»
The answer was quite simple:
I was happy inside and full of love. I wanted to live not only for me but to show my gratitude others. I saw and I felt my personal social responsibility and wanted to contribute to further development of our society.
Of course, I wanted also to find an answer to the question why I didn't feel that in Russia and I found a pretty sad explanation: People in Russia don't live, they survive, its not a safe place for comfort life and retirement. I don't want to accuse my homeland but let me be frank. It's kinda difficult to think about humanity if you don't have subsistence and confidence in the future.
Looking For A Charity Organisation
How did I look for a shelter, faced with arrogance and found a place full of fluffy cats
No doubt I had my own requirements for a shelter like:
I was sure that «I WORK FOR FREE»that's why I can make demands (no, I don't, actually). I opened Google and found the nearest shelter. They needed volunteers to walk dogs and I wrote them a personal message on Facebook. Anyway, I hate to say it, butwe got off to such a bad start on our first conversation. I have never met such arroganceand feeling of irrational grandiosity before. I found out laterthat there are people like this and I have to be ready to meet them occasionally, but after some phrases from representative like «We don't need volunteersthat can't wait» and «we can manage without you», I was hurt and continue searching for a place I can be useful.
My second attempt was more successful than the first one. I found the Foundation for homeless cats. The Representative answered short where and when to come, what to bring. In Russia, we have a tradition. A good guest never shows up empty-handed that's why I took 16 packs of wet foot and also kilo of dry.
I was warmly welcomed by organizators and other volunteers. They perfectly speak English (also a little German and Russian), so I did not have any communication problems. Of course, I have already been familiar with basic polish vocabulary from online stores only in Polish, because I have a cat here. «Drapak» is «Scratching post» for example.
And a volunteer is born!
- «It has to be close to me»
- «I want to choose a convenient time for visit»
- «I like dogs and would like to walk them»
I was sure that «I WORK FOR FREE»that's why I can make demands (no, I don't, actually). I opened Google and found the nearest shelter. They needed volunteers to walk dogs and I wrote them a personal message on Facebook. Anyway, I hate to say it, butwe got off to such a bad start on our first conversation. I have never met such arroganceand feeling of irrational grandiosity before. I found out laterthat there are people like this and I have to be ready to meet them occasionally, but after some phrases from representative like «We don't need volunteersthat can't wait» and «we can manage without you», I was hurt and continue searching for a place I can be useful.
My second attempt was more successful than the first one. I found the Foundation for homeless cats. The Representative answered short where and when to come, what to bring. In Russia, we have a tradition. A good guest never shows up empty-handed that's why I took 16 packs of wet foot and also kilo of dry.
I was warmly welcomed by organizators and other volunteers. They perfectly speak English (also a little German and Russian), so I did not have any communication problems. Of course, I have already been familiar with basic polish vocabulary from online stores only in Polish, because I have a cat here. «Drapak» is «Scratching post» for example.
And a volunteer is born!
How the Foundation works and what are responsibilities of volunteers
Sizzling cats, laundry and whole lot of litter boxes
To my greatest surprise, the Foundation was located in the two-room apartment but carefully planned and detailed.
A quarantine zone is a room with big cages for new cats (about 2 weeks) and ill. One cage - one cat. Some of them are wild and still dangerous for people. During that period cats are under observation and receive all medical treatment if necessary. In the main room live other cats. There are lots off scratching posts, access to the terraceto bask in a little sunshine and places to sleep.
A kitchen is a local place of power. There are all documents, lists, and drugs there. Even dishwasher! Could you imagine that? Also, we have a special room to dry blankets after laundry. Not to mention everything for cleaning, washing machine, and cupboard with supplies for cats.
Every week we have got a letter with instructions what to do, but most of the time they are the same.
A quarantine zone is a room with big cages for new cats (about 2 weeks) and ill. One cage - one cat. Some of them are wild and still dangerous for people. During that period cats are under observation and receive all medical treatment if necessary. In the main room live other cats. There are lots off scratching posts, access to the terraceto bask in a little sunshine and places to sleep.
A kitchen is a local place of power. There are all documents, lists, and drugs there. Even dishwasher! Could you imagine that? Also, we have a special room to dry blankets after laundry. Not to mention everything for cleaning, washing machine, and cupboard with supplies for cats.
Every week we have got a letter with instructions what to do, but most of the time they are the same.
Feeding & watering cats
Cleaning cat cages
Sweeping & mopping the floor
Socialisation
This list looks so official and boring. Let me explain volunteer job by giving you an example.
Feeding 20 cats is a true adventure. I literally fight for every bowl with wet food. Of course, these animals are not hungry, because fresh water and dry food are always available. But stolen tastes better and cats know it! I can't explain why but for me its easier to work in a quarantine zone and after feeding I am going there. And now the games have just begun. I call it «catch me if you can».
As you have already known, a quarantine zoneis a place with angry and scared cats, that's why its not easy to clean their cages and weigh them. Caching one cat takes about 15-20 min. Usually, we take pet carrier, throw dark blanket and put it in front of a cat. Sometimes we are lucky and the animal goes in, sometimes doesn't and we help. During weighing we clean the cage quickly to avoid stress: change water, clean litter, change and lay new blankets. Sometimes we have special instruction but don't often.
We also wash all dirty blankets and hang the laundry out to dry, neatly fold in its respective closet, vacuum and wash the floor after, check grid on the windows and terrace. Only after that, we can play with cats to socialize, take pictures for our web site, give treats.
Feeding 20 cats is a true adventure. I literally fight for every bowl with wet food. Of course, these animals are not hungry, because fresh water and dry food are always available. But stolen tastes better and cats know it! I can't explain why but for me its easier to work in a quarantine zone and after feeding I am going there. And now the games have just begun. I call it «catch me if you can».
As you have already known, a quarantine zoneis a place with angry and scared cats, that's why its not easy to clean their cages and weigh them. Caching one cat takes about 15-20 min. Usually, we take pet carrier, throw dark blanket and put it in front of a cat. Sometimes we are lucky and the animal goes in, sometimes doesn't and we help. During weighing we clean the cage quickly to avoid stress: change water, clean litter, change and lay new blankets. Sometimes we have special instruction but don't often.
We also wash all dirty blankets and hang the laundry out to dry, neatly fold in its respective closet, vacuum and wash the floor after, check grid on the windows and terrace. Only after that, we can play with cats to socialize, take pictures for our web site, give treats.
When I first came here, I prepared to see crippled animals in terrible conditions in small iron cages. Anyway, my imaginations did after hundreds of pictures in social media. In fact, there are completely ordinary cats without any defects. They are playful as my cat, tender as my cat and can bite you if disturb their peace. I am sad to see them without owners, but our Foundation works very well and people adopt our cats very fast.
How to adopt a cat
What is Umowa Adopcji and and why are there so many documents
Pet-adoption in Poland means documents. Lots of documents. The Polish government has a smart policy of animal welfare. There is a civil-law adoption contract Umowa Adopcji with terms and conditions that the Foundation require you to agree to when adopting a cat because the main goal of any Foundation or Shelter is to place rescued animals into permanent, loving homes. The Representative can ask you to visit your home prior to adoption to do a home check or to do follow up checks on the animal. Of course, you can't sell, trade or give away this pet or relinquish it to other shelter and other details. Therefore you can't take an animal and do with it as you please and give it back because violation of the Umowa Adopcji can be looking at criminal liability.
It might look difficult and one can think that all these difficulties scare the potential owners away, but it's not true. We should never forget that most animals in shelters were betrayed by human and paperwork is necessary. Actually, I believe that the expression of willingness to contract also shows us just how serious a person is.
Almost every week I see posts in Russian-language migrants' groups such as «A new landlord is not to allow me to have a cat», «My visa is expired and I have to go home. Please take this cat/dog/rabbit/etc otherwiseI will throw it out on the street» and my favourite «give up a pet because of allergies (one out of every two is allergic. Unexpected!).
You know we're gonna need to do better.
It might look difficult and one can think that all these difficulties scare the potential owners away, but it's not true. We should never forget that most animals in shelters were betrayed by human and paperwork is necessary. Actually, I believe that the expression of willingness to contract also shows us just how serious a person is.
Almost every week I see posts in Russian-language migrants' groups such as «A new landlord is not to allow me to have a cat», «My visa is expired and I have to go home. Please take this cat/dog/rabbit/etc otherwiseI will throw it out on the street» and my favourite «give up a pet because of allergies (one out of every two is allergic. Unexpected!).
You know we're gonna need to do better.
How to help if you can't adopt
And what is this about a tax return?"
Classic: donate, contribute supplies, offer special skills, volunteer program, monthly subscription
Non-classic but cool: I am definitely sure my dear readers that you have seen how Americans fill out a declarationand run wild to make the deadline. There is a similar situation in Poland. Poles pay taxes every year and this is an obligatory process. We will not talk about the nuances of Polish bureaucracy today, I would like to tell you about an interesting idea we found there with my husband.
Every taxpayer has the right to transfer 1% of their tax to a public benefit organization. In such a case the taxpayer does not transfer the whole tax to the state budget but may choose to support social organisations, such as a foundation or association. It may be charitable or other types of assistance, e.g. legal or social.
Non-classic but cool: I am definitely sure my dear readers that you have seen how Americans fill out a declarationand run wild to make the deadline. There is a similar situation in Poland. Poles pay taxes every year and this is an obligatory process. We will not talk about the nuances of Polish bureaucracy today, I would like to tell you about an interesting idea we found there with my husband.
Every taxpayer has the right to transfer 1% of their tax to a public benefit organization. In such a case the taxpayer does not transfer the whole tax to the state budget but may choose to support social organisations, such as a foundation or association. It may be charitable or other types of assistance, e.g. legal or social.
