Animals - County declares "cat emergency"
The district of Kelheim has declared a "cat emergency". "Feral and stray cats are increasingly reproducing uncontrollably in the district of Kelheim," the district office announced today. "Hotspots occur regularly throughout the district."
The head of the veterinary office, Martin Schmid, called on cat owners to have their cats spayed or neutered if they are "outdoor cats": "Please have your outdoor cats spayed or neutered to prevent uncontrolled reproduction."
Animals often suffer from diseases
According to him, the feral and stray animals often suffer from diseases such as cat flu or epidemics, some of which cause them to die in agony. Animal welfare volunteers have been trying to get the situation under control "for decades" - "and to alleviate the suffering of the cats". But the association's human and financial resources are limited.
"It's a fight against windmills", said Monika Pledl, Chairwoman of the Kelheim/Abensberg and surrounding area animal welfare organization, according to a statement from the district office. "The situation is tense. More cats mean more misery." The association spends 250,000 euros a year on sterilization, neutering and other veterinary costs. "Even a Bavaria-wide cat protection ordinance by the state government would be very welcome and would greatly support our work in animal welfare," emphasized Pledl.
Uniform cat protection ordinance called for
The district is also calling for "a Bavaria-wide - or even nationwide - uniform cat protection ordinance". This would make it possible to prohibit or restrict the uncontrolled free roaming of cats capable of reproduction in a defined area. In addition, outdoor cats could be labeled or registered, according to the veterinary office. District Administrator Martin Neumeyer has passed this demand on to the President of the Bavarian Association of Districts.
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Source: www.stern.de
