- Not just during the summer holidays - animal shelters are full
Animal shelters in Germany are reportedly overloaded, according to the estimation of the animal rights organization Peta. "The situation of the animal shelters is precarious and has been so for the past few months," Peta reports. Many animal shelters have had to impose intake stops. Around 350,000 animals are currently waiting for a new home in facilities across the country, according to the organization.
The Berlin animal shelter has taken in more than 2,460 animals since January, including over 100 animals that have been surrendered since the start of the summer holidays. The summer months present a particular challenge for the shelter, a spokesperson says. "Then there are more cats and kittens, and unfortunately also animals that need to be rehomed quickly due to vacation trips." Due to the overcrowding, the waiting list to bring a dog to the shelter is now over a year long.
Some animal shelters do struggle with an increased intake of animals during the summer holidays, according to the German Animal Welfare Federation. The federation, which represents around 550 animal shelters, reports that the shelters are now typically "strongly or even fully occupied" throughout the year.
According to the German Animal Welfare Federation, animals are surrendered for various reasons: mainly due to overwhelm, lack of time, and increased veterinary costs - regardless of the holiday season. Sometimes, the impending summer vacation is the deciding factor, and an animal is surrendered.
The high number of animal surrenders in Germany, often driven by vacation plans, contributes to the overloading of animal shelters nationwide. Despite the challenges, animal shelters in cities like Berlin, such as the one mentioned, continue to accept animals, further straining their resources.
