You can help people, and also animals. Although most of the rescue operations are aimed at dogs or cats, it turns out that rodents also deserve help. The best example is Paweł Tarczyński - the initiator and founder of the Ogony Foundation.
Remarkable story
Paweł has been involved in saving animals since he was a child. In his family home, animals were not bought, but the unwanted ones from the shelter were taken in. His cradle was looked after by a female ratler - Mika - who spent 19 years with her family. Anyway, both he and his brother always looked after some animals. What's more - grandfather walked with the boar on a leash, which is not a common sight.
Read also: Frytt - Polish rapper in exile >>>
It started with Jesus
Today she has a rat tattooed on her neck. It symbolizes not only love for rodents, but most of all it shows Jesus, with whom this love began. Jesus came to Paweł from a pet store. Originally it was to be used as food for the snake, but the snake did not want to eat it. The owners of the store assumed that they did not breed animals there, but traded them. Paweł's friend who worked there asked him if he would take Jesus in with her.
Read the conversation with Paul
How did it happen that you started taking care of unwanted animals?
There have always been animals in my house. My cradle was looked after by a bitch named Mika, who spent 19 years in my house, and was a ratler from the shelter. Both my brothers and I also had other smaller animals - hamsters, guinea pigs, parrots, etc. In my family home, animals were never bought, only the unwanted ones were adopted.
Read also: Stella Strzemecka on emigration >>>
When I was older, the first rat I called "Jesus" came to me. At first, someone brought it to the pet store where my friend worked. Unfortunately, the rat could not stay there, because the shop did not keep animals permanently. This little one was so intelligent that at his "urging" I started to help various small rodents by taking them to a so-called temporary home and looking for new guardians for them.
In 2012 I came up with the idea of creating the first and so far the only foundation in Poland dealing only with rodents. However, I also do not refuse to help other animals. I have already looked after dogs, hedgehogs, birds and many others.
The rat tattoo you have around your neck is symbolic? What's his story?
Yes, it is a kind of tribute to the animals that changed me. I've always loved them, but never before have they been a priority. Thanks to one little rat from a party animal, I turned into a guy who works 12-15 hours a day 7 days a week to pay for the animals.
Read also: Marcin Kisielewski - a man who fell in love with silage >>>
You are currently creating an Asylum for Small Animals. For this purpose, you moved from Krakow to the countryside. It was a good decision? How is the asylum work going?
The rodents didn't really feel the change. No matter if in Krakow or now in the countryside - they always had large cages. Rabbits and guinea pigs, apart from large cages, gained outdoor enclosures and vegetables from their own garden. The dogs under my care felt the biggest change, because instead of walking around the city on a leash, they have 35 acres of their own garden and a forest around the house.
I will probably be able to say whether it was a good decision in a few years. At the moment, I see happy and healthier animals with their own place and fresh air.
Work on the asylum is going very slowly, because the move itself has consumed all my savings. Fortunately, I found a job quickly and can slowly save money for the realization of my dreams.
How many and which animals are you currently caring for?
This number is constantly changing. Some animals stay for a while, while others stay with us until the end of their days. At the moment, I try not to exceed the number of 250 animals because I know that I can afford to support so many animals. I look after dogs, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, rats, degus and rabbits. There are also other rodents.
Read also: Przemysław Kaca - a man with a big heart >>>
You run the Ogony Foundation. When was it established? How many members does it currently have?
The Ogony Foundation was established in 2012. Contrary to associations, the foundation has few members and is based on the activities of volunteers. There are 4 people in the foundation itself. Two board members (responsible for "papermaking") and two on the board of the foundation, which is an advisory body. When it comes to volunteers - it's hard to say, because there are people who help us in one-off actions, although there are also those who help us on a regular basis. I think that on average, we use the help of 20-30 outsiders a year.
Saving unwanted rats can arouse extreme emotions - if only because of the phobias of some people. What opinions do you encounter most often? People generally support you or persuade you to give it up?
I have not yet heard a negative opinion from a person with a phobia. However, I hear very often, “Are you saving rats? You would help poor children. " I absolutely agree that children should also be helped. The problem is that there are thousands of organizations of this type, and those helping small animals - only one so far.
He tries to help animals that are unable to cope on their own. I also often come across criticism from the so-called people from the environment, i.e. people who do the same as me. At the foundation, everything we do is free of charge. We also try to cover the costs out of our own pockets, and we organize collections only when the expenses exceed our capabilities. For us, it is simply a passion, not a job.
Why is it worth saving animals?
There are only, or maybe two reasons: firstly, we are responsible for everything that we have tamed, and secondly, the looks of the rescued animals. They are worth more than all the money in the world.
In conclusion - would you like to say something to the Polish diaspora in Norway?
Remember - no matter where you are, no matter what you do - live in such a way that you can be proud of yourself.
Interviewed by Michał Nielub.
