From BZ/dpa
The cat house in the Berlin animal shelter is overcrowded. Other animals cannot be managed. There are various reasons for the overload.
In the cat house in the Berlin animal shelter, more cats are being cared for this summer than they have been in years.
In the first seven months of 2022, 110 more cats were handed over to the facility in Falkenberg than in the same period last year, said spokeswoman Ute Reinhardt of the German Press Agency. According to this, 440 animals are currently living in the home – that has happened before, but not in the past three years. “The shelter cannot currently cope with taking in more cats,” said Reinhardt.
Because of the high number, a ban on the admission of cats, dogs and other animals was imposed in the facility in northern Berlin in July. Around 1,400 animals are cared for at the shelter every day, and there would be 300 more if all inquiries were answered, a statement said. Privately owned animals can no longer be handed in. However, found animals, animals seized by veterinary offices and other emergencies would continue to be admitted.
Travel after corona wave also a reason
According to the animal shelter, the severe overload has various reasons. There were significantly more seizures by the veterinary authorities than in previous years, and the number of animals found had also increased. “One can only guess to what extent Corona plays a role,” said Reinhardt. Traveling has become easier again, the animals that were purchased during the pandemic are outgrowing some owners.
A young cat sits in a rustling tunnel Photo: dpa
Reinhardt pointed out that good education can help ensure that fewer cats are given away: “Some people don’t realize that taking in a cat is a responsible task,” said Reinhardt. The shelter is always happy to give advice on keeping cats. When mediating all animals, not just cats, the animal rights activists make every effort to ensure that the animals end up in the right hands. Only 2 out of 100 adopted animals would come back.
The shelter assumes that the freeze on admission will only be temporary. “We hope for a relaxation towards the fall, so that we can then take in animals again,” said Reinhardt. In the meantime, the animal shelter is available to private pet owners with advice and tips on how to get through the difficult time. “Sometimes the problems with the animal can be solved that way,” said Reinhardt.