Last Friday, Kraków’s municipal animal shelter appealed to residents to temporarily shelter dogs running errands amid freezing temperatures (about -15°C).

The appeal was welcomed last weekend, with dozens of people queuing at the animal shelter’s headquarters offering help. It is estimated that close to 150 dogs found a warm place to stay for the coming days, during which the temperatures are not expected to rise much. Half of these were even permanently adopted, according to the Polsat TV station.

The shelter’s workers had a hard time believing the spontaneous rush for help displayed by locals. “We don’t know if there are words that can reflect what we feel […] The word ‘thank you’ is not enough. You have changed the fate of our animals. You are beautiful people” – reads a social media publication by the institution.

In an interview given to the Polish Press Agency (PAP), a representative of Kraków’s animal shelter explained that although, at this time of the year, appeals for dog shelters are received well, the scale of this year’s help exceeded all expectations.  

A fun fact of last weekend’s events involves Kraków’s municipal police. Its officers were busy issuing tickets due to the large amount of cars parked in inappropriate places. Yet, once the staff was explained the nature of this sudden gathering, several officers not only withdrew their tickets but joined this inspiring initiative by taking in a dog themselves.  

Image: Unsplash

Author: Sébastien Meuwissen