Nowy Targ animal shelter closes after owner steps down under pressure; 273 dogs await relocation
The owner of the Nowy Targ animal shelter resigned on 30 June, prompting the county veterinarian to close the facility. Officials are now coordinating the transfer of 273 dogs to the 43 communes that had placed them there.
A shelter under scrutiny
The shelter at ul. Kokoszków 101 had been the target of months-long activism and social-media pressure. Since the beginning of 2026 the police intervened 17 times, and the prosecutor’s office has been conducting an investigation into suspected animal abuse since 20 March. In mid‑March a protest gathered several dozen people at the gate, encouraged by celebrities including Doda and Laluna. The demonstrators demanded a reduction in the number of dogs from 300 to 200, introduction of volunteering, greater transparency on euthanasia, and formal adoption procedures.
The county veterinarian has not found, during inspections, any violation of the welfare of animals staying in the shelter or any threat to their life or health.
Owner quits, citing online hostility
The owner resigned after what local outlets described as an enormous wave of online hate that intensified following a social‑media post by the Animal Care Society of Krynica. The post claimed that temperatures in kennels had reached 70°C and five dogs were dying. Police later stated those reports were not confirmed.
The owners simply could not withstand the huge pressure and the mass attack. What strikes most in this case is that the local police never found any irregularities before and nobody had anything bad to say about the shelter’s daily operation.
Official closures and technical violations
On 26 June, after a full‑day inspection, the county veterinarian imposed a temporary ban on admitting new animals and ordered repairs to the outer fence, improvement of puppy housing, and securing permanent veterinary care. On 27, 28 and 29 June inspectors visited three times a day to monitor conditions during the heatwave, while firefighters sprayed the premises to cool them. On 30 June the owner formally resigned, and the county veterinarian removed the shelter from the register.
- Prosecutor opens investigation into suspected animal abuse following a formal notice.
- Full-day inspection leads to a temporary ban on new intakes; owner ordered to fix fence, improve puppy zones and secure veterinary care.
- First of three daily heatwave inspections; firefighters begin cooling the shelter grounds.
- Police and county veterinarian inspect site with whistleblower present; reports of dead animals or extreme heat are not confirmed.
- Owner submits resignation; county veterinarian removes the shelter from the register.
- Małopolska Voivode Krzysztof Jan Klęczar convenes crisis team. Chief Veterinary Officer Paweł Meyer confirms audit of oversight.
Coordinated state response
Małopolska Voivode Krzysztof Jan Klęczar convened a crisis team involving the provincial veterinarian, police and the mayor of Nowy Targ. The Chief Veterinary Officer, Paweł Meyer, started an audit of the veterinary inspectorate’s supervision and said animal welfare remained the priority. The county veterinarian formally requested all 43 communes to arrange immediate collection of their dogs and to ensure continuity of care.
The priority is the safety and welfare of the animals staying in the shelter. That is why the liquidation process is carried out under constant veterinary supervision. At the same time we are thoroughly examining whether the oversight of this shelter was conducted properly.
What happens to the 273 dogs
Dogs may be transported only to facilities listed in the Chief Veterinary Officer’s register, using vehicles that meet appropriate standards. Adoption remains open: the provincial office encouraged people to adopt directly from the now‑closing shelter. Municipalities have the legal obligation to prevent animal homelessness, so the mayors and commune heads of the 43 local‑government units must now secure proper care.
