As a result of the pet boom during the corona lockdown, many German animal shelters are reaching their limits.

"Since the summer, individual animal shelters have had to impose admission bans, in parts of Germany the situation is getting worse," said Hester Pommerening from the German Animal Welfare Association of the German Press Agency.

While the placement situation was relatively normal until the beginning of 2021 or even better due to the high demand for animals, this was reversed at the end of the second lockdown in spring 2021.

The demand is no longer so great, while at the same time numerous donated animals, found animals and confiscated animals are added. "Some animal shelters are still only dealing with individual cases of levies and stocks that have barely changed, while other animal shelters are currently struggling very hard," said Pommerening.

Sven Fraaß from the Hamburg Animal Welfare Association from 1841, which runs the Süderstrasse animal shelter, told the dpa: "More people have definitely bought animals."

Since it was sometimes no longer that easy to just drop by at the animal shelter, they relied more on the internet for mediation.

"We have also greatly expanded the animal presentations on our website," said Fraaß.

That was well received.

Ill-considered purchases in lockdown

According to the Animal Welfare Association, particularly large dogs and cats, but also small animals, were often given to the animal shelters by people who thoughtlessly fetched the animals during the lockdown via the internet, from the pet shop or from the breeder.

In addition, there are found animals whose exact origin is unclear, but whose age also suggests a Corona background.

Confiscated animals, especially puppies, from the recently flourishing illegal trade often find their way into animal shelters.

Fraaß spoke of a "puppy mafia" that is involved in the illegal trade in young dogs.

In the past you got about half a dozen of these animals a year, now it's closer to a hundred.

Sick or annoying dogs are sometimes simply disposed of in the garbage or buried by the dealers.

In parts of Germany, according to information from the Animal Welfare Association, there seem to be many more street cats, and cat misery is increasing dramatically in many places.

According to a survey carried out on behalf of the Heimtierbedarf industrial association and the Central Association of Zoological Companies in Germany, there was an increase of almost one million cats in German households from 2019 to 2020.

"If these are now increasingly exposed or left to their own devices or have simply not been neutered despite being outdoors, the animals can reproduce in an uncontrolled manner," said Pommerening.

Many animal shelters reported a real cat glut.

This problem also exists in Hamburg, said Fraass.

In addition, the animal shelter's older cat house is in danger of collapsing and can therefore not be used.

That aggravates the situation.

Animals are not a Christmas present

The public holidays also cause concern for the Animal Welfare Association: "Unfortunately, every year we see animals being given away for Christmas," said Pommerening. “From an animal welfare point of view, it must be said clearly: Animals do not belong under the Christmas tree.” We also strongly advise against spontaneous and surprise purchases. Many animals then ended up in the shelter. The reasons are varied: "Unexpected costs or the animal's previously unknown demands can sometimes quickly fade the joy of having a new family member." Often, parents noticed too late that a large part of the care was left to them, said Pommerening.

Basically, the following applies: An adoption or the purchase of an animal should always be carefully considered.

If you are still determined, you will find many animals in the animal shelter that are waiting for a new home and carers who can advise.

According to its own information, 16 state associations and around 740 local animal welfare associations with 550 association-owned animal shelters and rescue stations are affiliated with the German Animal Welfare Association.