On the occasion of International Cat Day, the German Animal Welfare Federation is calling for a nationwide regulation for more cat protection, including mandatory castration, identification and registration. The reason: with 15.2 million animals in German households, cats are not only the most popular pet, but also one of the most neglected. More and more cats are ending up in animal shelters. In addition, the suffering of millions of street cats has become one of the biggest unnoticed animal welfare problems in Germany in recent years, as a newly published cat welfare report by the German Animal Welfare Federation shows. This nationwide problem is taking on ever greater dimensions and is pushing animal welfare organizations and animal shelters to their limits. The German Animal Welfare Federation is therefore launching its "Every cat's life counts" campaign on International Cat Day.
"Political decision-makers have still not recognized the explosive nature of the issue. And the general public is often unaware of the plight of street cats. The animals suffer in secret. Their lives are agonizing and, above all, short. The only way to break the vicious circle of uncontrolled reproduction and stop the suffering is through widespread neutering. A nationwide regulation for more cat protection is therefore urgently needed," demands Thomas Schröder, President of the German Animal Welfare Federation. So far, animal welfare organizations have mostly shouldered the responsibility alone; they fight daily to reduce the suffering of the animals. "An absurdity", says Schröder - in view of the state goal of animal welfare in the German constitution. "Animal welfare organizations and animal rights activists must finally receive the support they deserve."
CAT PROTECTION REPORT INFORMS ABOUT CAT MISERY
Ultimately, all street cats come from unneutered cats from private households. The German Animal Welfare Federation's new cat protection report sheds light on the immense suffering of these animals. In most cases, it is volunteer cat protectors and animal welfare organizations that take care of the street cats. 99 percent of the animals are sick when they are presented to a vet for the first time. More than half are struggling with serious but treatable illnesses such as parasite infestation, malnutrition and, in particular, cat flu. Although cats can live up to 20 years, the life expectancy of street cats is often only a few months. The high mortality rate of kittens is particularly alarming.
In order to make the suffering of street cats visible, educate the public and hold politicians accountable, the German Animal Welfare Federation is launching the "Every cat's life counts" campaign on August 8, parallel to the publication of the cat protection report. In addition to the report, cat lovers can find further information and tips on how to help street cats on the website www.jetzt-katzen-helfen.de.
Note to the editors: You can find the cat protection report as a PDF and the most important facts and figures from it at: www.jetzt-katzen-helfen.de/report (available in German only)
