Thomas Schröder, President of the German Animal Welfare Federation, strongly disagrees with Karlsruhe District President Sylvia Felder's assertion that she believes it is possible that the support withdrawn by the associations for affected cat owners in Walldorf was based on the realization that animal welfare was weighed against species protection when the general ruling was drawn up:
"In no way and at no time have we withdrawn our criticism. The same applies to our unconditional support for the local animal welfare association. However, it is a fact that we - and also our state animal welfare association - are not formally entitled to file a lawsuit. However, this does not change our opinion that confining accustomed free-range cats from private households for several months is absolutely contrary to animal welfare and a transparent distraction from the real, self-inflicted problems. The main cause of the dramatic decline in endangered bird species - not just the crested lark - is habitat and food loss, particularly due to intensive farming and the development and sealing of land. If the district president were really consistent, she would have to order the demolition of all buildings in the crested lark's current habitat. She is not doing this, instead she is blaming the cat alone and thus acting contrary to animal welfare. Even if we cannot take legal action ourselves, the cat owners and the animal welfare organization can rely on our support and solidarity. Here is my appeal: Ms. Felder, stop the dubious interpretations and half-truths and finally act in accordance with animal welfare!"
GUIDELINES
Together with the German Legal Society for Animal Welfare Law and its Baden-Württemberg regional association, the German Animal Welfare Federation prepared a legal opinion on the Walldorf general ruling in 2022.
