Cat crisis in Uelzen: animal shelter at the limit-help urgently wanted!

Cat crisis in Uelzen: animal shelter at the limit-help urgently wanted!

Kuhteichweg 4, 29525 Uelzen, Deutschland - The animal shelter in Uelzen is currently facing a huge challenge. Biggi Frels, the deputy chair of the Uelzen animal welfare association, describes the precarious situation and highlights: "We are full. We work on the limit and run on the gums." The influx of new cats has increased significantly, which the shelter brings to the limits of its capacities. Those responsible are now forced to concentrate on the essentials and maintain the operation as far as possible.

In order to deal with the increasing number of animals in need of care, the shelter has sent a call for help to the city of Uelzen. Frels reports that you are looking for support to cope with the critical situation at short notice. Meanwhile, she has already contacted two animal pensions, but the feedback has so far been missing. Most animal pensions have come into financial difficulties due to the corona pandemic, which also makes the situation more difficult.

causes and challenges

An essential factor for the flood of cats is the high number of uncastrated animals that roam the streets, especially in municipalities, where there is an obligation to castrate. According to Frels, the control of these regulations by the responsible authorities is inadequate, which exacerates the situation. "We are calling for strict monitoring of the castration obligation," she emphasizes.

In addition, the animal shelter is repeatedly faced with inappropriate behavior of visitors. Frels expresses that the animal shelter team is regularly insulted, both on social media and personally when the capacities are exhausted. "We ask for your understanding. If we are full, we are full," she explains, adding that there are also incorrect information when submitting animals. An example: Some citizens claim that their cats are wild cats, which often turns out to be untrue, since the animals are usually tame and friendly.

The current situation very much contains the employees and also make the work challenging. A long underestimated project is also particularly affected: the construction of a new dog house. Frels explains that the existing facilities came from the 1980s and are no longer up to date for the safety of the employees and for the well-being of the dogs.

Despite a recent donation of 1000 euros from the community foundation for the Uelzen district, the implementation of this project is widely moved due to the current working pressure. "It's just not feasible," regrets Frels.

However, there are also bright spots: the latest conversations with the Hanseatic city of Uelzen and the city forest hope that the shelter can soon have additional expression, which would improve the situation for the animals.