To mark International Cat Day on August 8, the German Animal Welfare Association is drawing attention to the fact that cats are not only the most beloved pets in Germany, but also one of the most neglected: Millions of street cats live and suffer undetected among us, many cats are victims of animal cruelty and more and more cats end up in animal shelters. With the “Every cat's life counts” campaign, the German Animal Welfare Federation is making the nationwide extent of cat suffering in Germany visible.
“One of the biggest unnoticed animal welfare problems is the suffering of the millions of street cats in Germany. They live hidden and secluded lives on abandoned properties, industrial sites or in allotments. They have to fight for their survival every day,” explains Thomas Schröder, President of the German Animal Welfare Federation. The German Animal Welfare Federation's “Big Cat Protection Report” sheds light on the suffering of street cats. According to the survey, 99 percent of animals are sick when they are first presented to a vet: “Almost all animals are weakened by disease, parasites, injuries and hunger. The chances of street cats living more than a few months are slim,” says Dr. Dalia Zohni, specialist for pets at the German Animal Welfare Federation.
CATS ARE VICTIMS OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS
Even cats that live in a household do not necessarily always lead a good life. More than any other animal species, cats are victims of cruelty or killing. This was confirmed by almost a third of animal welfare organizations in a survey conducted by the German Animal Welfare Federation. 18 percent report that cases of cruelty to cats have increased in their catchment area. Cats are often abandoned and left to fend for themselves, kept in inappropriate conditions, beaten and kicked or even poisoned.
NOTICEABLE INCREASE IN CATS IN ANIMAL SHELTERS
More than two thirds of animal welfare organizations stated in the survey that they had taken in more cats in the last twelve months. One reason: un-neutered outdoor cats from private households and street cats are reproducing uncontrollably - and the number of cats kept has increased massively since the coronavirus-related pet boom. “More and more cat owners who have acquired their animals without thinking are handing them over to animal shelters or abandoning them. We also receive daily inquiries from people who want to get rid of their cat. Time and again, animal welfare activists also find orphaned kittens from street cats,” reports Zohni. Every street cat originally comes from an un-neutered domestic cat that has access to the outdoors but has not been neutered. In order to minimize the suffering of street cats and prevent future suffering, the German Animal Welfare Federationis calling for a nationwide castration obligation for outdoor cats.
Note to editors:
As part of its “Every cat's life counts” campaign, the German Animal Welfare Federation is using various measures to highlight the suffering of street cats on International Cat Day. On the campaign website www.jetzt-katzen-helfen.de/aktion, animal lovers can order a free, strictly limited edition cat sticker. Each sticker represents 100 street cats that have to fight for their survival every day. At the same time, the association is educating the public and calling politicians to account. “The Big Cat Protection Report” highlights the problem and possible solutions: www.jetzt-katzen-helfen.de/report
