Animal shelter in Kürten fights for survival: Who pays the 100,000 euros?

Animal shelter in Kürten fights for survival: Who pays the 100,000 euros?

A dramatic dispute unfolds in the Rhein Berg animal shelter! A year ago, an elderly lady died in Kürten and left a shocking number of animals. The police alerted the shelter to take care of the orphaned pets. What started as a harmless order turned out to be a true animal drama: instead of a few cats, the helpers had to save 49 cats and a dog!

The head of the animal shelter, Jennifer Ommer, remembers the shocking first impressions: "We were contacted with the statement: Here are a few cats that need to be picked up." But the reality was far from this harmless description. The animals were shy and not used to humans, which made the rescue operation a real challenge for months. Over 100 cats had to be accommodated at times, while the shelter did everything they could to vaccinate, chip and neuter the animals. The costs? A shocking total volume of 100,000 euros!

Financial crisis in the animal shelter

Now the shelter is on the abyss! Association board member Karla Brandenburg warns: "I still have liquid funds for about two months." If the financial support does not come, the shelter will be forced to lend its buildings. The municipality, on the other hand, sees the matter differently: it refuses to cover the costs because it is found. Mayor Willi Heider emphasizes: "They are not a ensured animal, but found animals - and they are covered by the general flat rate." A bitter dispute over the responsibility and financing of the animal rescue!

The animal shelter now thinks about legal steps to get the costs reimbursed. The hope of a solution for the future remains, because most of the saved animals have now found a new home. But three European short -haired cats are still longing for their chance to become part of a family. The struggle for animals and the financial means continues!