On World Animal Protection Day on October 4, the German Animal Welfare Federation is drawing attention to the dramatic situation of animal shelters. While their financial situation was already strained before coronavirus, the effects of the coronavirus period are now being compounded by extreme cost increases. The existence of practical animal welfare facilities throughout Germany is under threat. With the motto “Animal shelters at the limit” for World Animal Day, the umbrella organization, together with its more than 740 member associations, is calling on politicians and society to save charitable animal welfare in the country.
“Charitable animal welfare in Germany has been driven to the wall through ignorance and calculation. For years, politicians and administrators have rested on the fact that private associations, animal-loving donors and volunteers have managed practical animal welfare alone with their money, time and commitment - including public sector tasks. In view of rising energy and feed costs, higher vet fees and the increased minimum wage, this is no longer affordable. Many animal shelters will inevitably collapse if the federal, state and local governments do not help,” explains Thomas Schröder, President of the German Animal Welfare Federation. “A rescue package is urgently needed to help animal shelters survive the winter.”
World Animal Day goes back to Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, who was canonized on 4 October 1228. He is said to have said: “Every creature in distress has equal rights to protection.” “We must not allow this claim to no longer be met in this country 800 years later,” said Schröder. “The federal government, federal states, districts and municipalities must show that the state goal of animal welfare counts for something in Germany!” In the long term, animal shelters must also be made capable of acting through cost-covering payment for services provided on behalf of the public sector and relieved by a pet protection ordinance.
SURVEY SHOWS GROWING COST PRESSURE
The German Animal Welfare Federation is evaluating the financial concerns of its affiliated animal welfare associations in a recent random survey: The associations expect massive cost increases of 129 percent for energy costs, 21 percent for consumables including food, 18 percent for veterinary costs and 15 percent for personnel costs. On average, the clubs surveyed expect total cost increases of 23%. Rising prices are another almost unmanageable challenge that animal shelters are now facing. As a result of the coronavirus crisis, many animal shelters have had to contend with an increase in the number of animals that were relinquished due to ill-considered purchases during the pandemic. Many dogs, especially young ones, that are now waiting for a new home at the animal shelter need intensive care because their previous owners neglected their upbringing. As a result of rising energy costs, animal shelters also fear an increase in the number of exotic wild animals, such as reptiles, being handed in. This is because keeping these demanding species requires various technical aids, which are characterized by high energy requirements.
Note to editors: With its campaign “Animal shelters help. Help animal shelters!", the German Animal Welfare Federation continuously draws attention to the situation of animal shelters and their important work. You can find more information at www.tierheime-helfen.de.
