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The HG Kaplan Foundation established a collaboration with the activists from the Pegasus Shelter, operated by the Empathy Institute Foundation, during their humanitarian and animal rescue mission in Ukraine. While staying in Poland, near the border of the war zone, a representative of our foundation sought to connect with those offering aid to animals in wartime conditions.

The Polish team worked intensively in Ukraine during the first six months of the war – delivering food and medicine to both people and animals, even reaching the front lines. They evacuated animals and shelter workers while under fire, with rescue efforts extending as far as eastern Ukraine, beyond the Dnipro River.

What united us with the team from the Empathy Institute was a shared set of values – above all, empathy, which we believe is the most powerful force for positive change. Empathy, the ability to care and share the suffering of others, is humanity’s greatest superpower, and it sets the best course for the future of our world.

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Since then, we have jointly implemented a series of projects supporting four animal sanctuaries in Poland:

1. Fencing for Farm Animals – Pegasus Shelter in Musuły (Mazowieckie Province) The HG Kaplan Foundation funded the fencing of 30 hectares of land and the creation of separate paddocks for herds with special needs. The old, damaged wooden fence – patched up with fire hoses – was replaced with a durable composite fence made from recycled materials, guaranteed for 30 years. This improvement increased animal safety and allowed for safe educational activities for children and youth.

2. Dog Houses – Pegasus Shelter in Musuły We financed the purchase of two modern dog houses, each consisting of three spacious, heated, and air-conditioned rooms furnished with beds and sofas, and equipped with over 500-square-meter outdoor areas with gardens.

Thanks to these conditions, older dogs – often victims of abuse and long-term neglect – are regaining a sense of stability and security. The home-like environment helps them gradually adapt to human contact, rebuild trust, and prepare for adoption into loving families.

3. Frost-Proof Water Installations – Musuły and Stare Resko In response to the challenges of providing water during harsh winters, the HG Kaplan Foundation financed frost-proof water systems at the shelters in Musuły and Stare Resko. Thanks to this investment, a total of 190 animals on 100 hectares now have year-round access to clean water. This also significantly eased the burden on caregivers and reduced operational costs.

4. Enclosures for Wild Animals – Musuły We built two spacious enclosures for rescued raccoons and raccoon dogs, former inhabitants of fur farms. The enclosures offer natural ground, vegetation, shelters, and a pond with a waterfall. Inspired by this project, other donors soon enabled the construction of an enclosure for foxes rescued from a fur farm whose owner had been convicted of animal cruelty.

5. Front Loader – Musuły Shelter To meet the needs of a large farm animal population, the HG Kaplan Foundation funded a front loader to transport hay and straw and perform cleaning tasks around shelters and paddocks. This significantly reduced the physical strain on staff and improved daily efficiency.

The machine also facilitates tasks like leveling terrain and distributing feed and bedding, which previously required hours of manual labor. Importantly, this investment enabled the shelter to expand employment opportunities to women, enhancing inclusivity and working conditions for the team.

6. Puppy Housing – Fundacja Judyta We supported Fundacja Judyta – one of Poland’s most dedicated organizations rescuing puppies – by financing the purchase of two specialized living containers. Each unit is heated and air-conditioned, providing a safe environment for quarantine and recovery even in extreme weather.

These houses play a crucial role in protecting weak and often sick puppies from infections and viruses. They offer clean, quiet spaces where young dogs can grow and heal. Each year, up to 150 puppies are given a second chance at life and adoption thanks to this infrastructure. It’s an investment that saves lives – literally and daily.

7. Insulation and Renovation – Ostatnia Szansa Shelter Another major initiative was the full insulation and re-plastering of the main building of the Ostatnia Szansa Shelter, which houses about 50 dogs and their primary caregiver. Prior to this, the building lacked adequate thermal insulation, making winters especially difficult.

With the renovations complete, the building is now energy-efficient, eco-friendly, and comfortable. This not only improved the living conditions for the animals and staff but also resulted in lower heating costs and greater long-term stability for the shelter. We are currently implementing the next stage of the project – roof renovation.

8. Property Purchase and Creation of a Volunteer Center – Stare Resko One of the largest undertakings was the purchase of a 50-hectare property in scenic Stare Resko, located by a lake. This land became a new, safe home for 150 animals – horses, goats, sheep, dogs, llamas, and cows. All had difficult pasts, and now they thrive on open pastures in conditions that closely resemble their natural habitat.

The investment included fencing the entire area (over 4 km of fencing), installing frost-proof water systems, building shelters for horses, and beginning renovations of the stable. The center was equipped with tools and materials essential for volunteer work – lawnmowers, drills, paint, and more.

Today, the center in Stare Resko serves as a hub for empathy-based education. In its first year, it hosted classes and workshops for 65 young participants and welcomed over 40 volunteers from Poland and abroad who supported both animal care and infrastructure development.

Interest in the project continues to grow among educators and volunteers alike. In response, we are planning the launch of Poland's first International Volunteer House.

The renovated building will offer a modern base for volunteers and guests from both Poland and abroad. It will include 12 fully furnished guest rooms, an educational hall, a library, and shared spaces designed to foster integration, exchange of ideas, and collaborative work.

This will be a place where people from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds come together – united by a common purpose: to do good, to show empathy, and to make a difference.

We believe this unique project will become a model and source of inspiration for similar initiatives both in Poland and around the world.

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