Highlights

• The centre will be built in Warszawianka (Lesznowola municipality) and will be Poland’s first state-run facility for the temporary detention of dangerous, protected and invasive animals. 
• The design documentation will be drawn up in 2026–2027, and the project is scheduled for implementation in 2028–2031. 
• The investment process can begin thanks to a law passed in 2025 securing funding for the centre’s establishment in subsequent years. Until the centre is built, the Shelter will carry out its tasks in cooperation with specialised external entities. 

The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister of Climate and Environment Mikołaj Dorożała, Director of the Central Animal Shelter Agnieszka Czujkowska, DVM, and the contractor’s representative Tomasz Kacprowicz. 

The signing of this agreement marks a milestone in the investment process related to the establishment of the Central Animal Shelter. Last year, Parliament adopted amendments to the regulations concerning the Centre. These changes ensured, among other things, the securing of funding for the investment, thereby enabling the conclusion of this agreement. Custom and Police Services are awaiting the Central Animal Shelter to become fully operational. That is why it is important to us that the contractor fulfils the entrusted task in a professional and timely manner

– said Deputy Minister Mikołaj Dorożała. 

Thanks to the amendment to the regulations adopted in 2025, the Central Animal Shelter has secured funding for the establishment of a temporary animal holding centre in Warszawianka (Lesznowola municipality).  

The preparation of design and construction documentation is scheduled for 2026–2027. In subsequent stages, between 2028 and 2031, the plan includes design supervision, the activities of a substitute investor and the execution of the construction project. 

The Central Animal Shelter will be Poland’s first specialised facility for the temporary holding of animals belonging to, amongst others: 

• invasive alien species, 
• species listed under the CITES Convention, 
• dangerous species, 
• protected species. 

As director of the Central Animal Shelter, I can assure you that our staff will be fully prepared to cooperate with the Contractor. All those present here today are committed to the smooth and effective implementation of the contract

– said Agnieszka Czujkowska, DVM, director of the Central Animal Shelter.  

Until the centre is built, the Central Animal Shelter will perform its tasks in cooperation with specialist external organisations, to which it entrusts the transport and temporary care of animals taken in by the shelter. The construction of its own premises will enable the Shelter to carry out its full range of operational activities and to develop educational initiatives aimed, amongst others, at schoolchildren. 

Despite the lack of its own infrastructure, in 2025 the Central Animal Shelter admitted and transferred four animals for further care, including a brown bear.  In the first quarter of 2026, another 10 animals, including royal pythons, a snowy owl, marmosets and a ring-tailed lemur, were brought to the Centre. 

Creating a temporary animal holding centre will enhance public safety by providing a professional facility for dangerous, invasive or illegally traded animals.