Hello Pride,

Yes, 2023 may not be shaping up to be the best year, and no, we can't save the whole world.

But...

Yes - we can make a part of this world and a portion of this year better for some of our fellow creatures.

You all probably know our colleague Łukasz Mazurek, father of Tosia. You likely have seen the 1.5% leaflets and articles in the office or newsletter. This time, it's not him who needs help, but rather he who is helping. The beneficiaries? Kittens. Read that again and picture the cute, tiny furballs looking at you sadly. Now, read further.

Case study: Recently, Tosia's and Łukasz's family welcomed a new furry member - a ten-weeks-old kitten rescued in Piastów. Tosia heard its cries and decided to adopt the poor fellow. But, it's easier said than done. Stray kittens tend to be feisty and scared, and they don't just walk right into a new mum's arms. You need to catch them, and this is not easy. A tiny kitten may not look like a formidable opponent, but this one cleverly avoided capture for 27 hours before it was finally trapped. Why so long?

Because the cat trapping cage provided by the Animal Care Society in Poland also known as TOZ, Piastów branch, was old, and its activation mechanism was malfunctioning. The kitten simply went in, ate the food, and got out without triggering it.

This brings us to the core of the problem - Piastów's TOZ* has only one cage and simply can't afford a new or another trap cage. They are no longer financially supported by the city office. The cost of a cage is between 500-1000 PLN, and it needs to be light and strong - the lady taking care of the trapping rides around on a bicycle. Plus, as you can guess, stray cats often protest violently against such involuntary imprisonment.

*Towarzystwo Opieki nad Zwierzętami Oddział w Piastowie

Ul. Bema 2 lokal 11 05-820 Piastów

Tel. 533 062 928

piastó[email protected]

This fundraiser aims to gather money for a new cage, and if you're feeling generous, for cat food and veterinary services. With a cat, you can always be sure there will be an appetite and vet bills. I can confirm this, as an owner of two black, yellow eyed monsters...I mean sweethearts. Łukasz stays in contact with the organization and I am helping him to coordinate the action.

Piastów's TOZ does an awesome job catching, saving, neutering, healing, deworming, feeding, organizing temporary homes for the rescues, and preparing them for adoption. Why don't we support them?

How?

Hard Mode - This is for tough ones - Quest: Adopt a cat from them. Always a good idea if you need a faithful companion who will sing you purring lullabies during winter evenings and refurbish your flat by removing your window curtains.

Normal Mode - Quest: Become a volunteer. Nothing helps one stay in shape like seeking out, catching, and taking care of stray cats, who have not yet learned they should be grateful.

Easy Mode - Quest: Just give them some money. :)

The face of this campaign is Mia, the kitten (on the fundraiser cover - photographed while devouring her pray in her lair under the bed) rescued by Tosia and Łukasz. After some initial disagreements with her new owners, like insisting on such disrespectful behaviors as deworming, defleaing, and conducting necessary tests, she happily accepted her adoption and forgave them for their unacceptable behavior. She went to Łukasz's home, where she is slowly learning to live with people and other kittens that already reside there. The little one was very fortunate, and we hope other rescued kittens in the future will be as well.

So grab your wallet and save the world one kitten after another :)

You can also help them directly: the data are below.