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Our impact

In Poland, Humane World for Animals works to protect all animals. We’re encouraging higher welfare standards for animals used for food, advocating for an end to fur farming, and working to end the use of animals in laboratory tests by promoting alternative non-animal methods. We’re pushing for a ban on trophy hunting imports and working to encourage the protection of native carnivores, including gray wolves.

We also support animals in crisis, whether from war or disaster. We helped to rebuild animal shelters after floods and have supported companion animals from Ukraine with food donations and free veterinary care for refugees’ dogs and cats.

What we are working on

As part of the European Union, Poland follows EU rules regarding animal protection. The country’s Nature Conservation Act of 2005 and Animal Protection Act of 2017 offer additional safeguards for companion animals, animals used for food and animals kept in zoos. Additionally, 2015 legislation offers protection for animals used in scientific and educational research. Still, there is room for improvement. Top animal issues in Poland include fur farming, trophy hunting and farmed animal welfare.

Kristo Murrimaa/Oikeutta Elaimille

Fur farming

Poland is one of the European Union’s largest fur producers. We’re working to enact a fur farming ban while also encouraging global fashion brands to go fur-free.

Chickens in a field

Kay Roxby

Farmed animal welfare

Industrial farms cause animal suffering on an unimaginable scale. In Poland, we’re working to end the cage confinement of hens in the egg industry. And with around 1.2 billion chickens killed for food in the country each year, Poland is a major supplier of chicken meat in the EU. We are working to help producers and restaurants incorporate higher broiler welfare policies.

taxidermy zebra, deer, bear and other animals at auction

The HSUS

Trophy hunting

Poland is a major importer of hunting trophies from endangered species, including brown bears, African lions, black bears, cheetahs, leopards and rhinos. We’re pushing for a trophy import ban to help protect these and other animals.

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Daniel Henney at a dog meat farm in South Korea

Jean Chung