Consequence of the corona pandemic: “More animals are being given away than usual”

Ms. Schnabel, you run the animal shelter in Nuremberg.

You are currently on a recording freeze.

How many animals do you currently care for?

Julia Anton

Editor in the “Society & Style” department.

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Our house is consistently fuller than usual this year. We currently have more than 120 cats in the house.

Normal stock would be 80 to 100. It is the same in other departments.

We currently have 55 dogs and around 200 small and wild animals.

These are not just animals for sale, we are not currently accepting any animals.

One or the other simply abandons his animal, but if it is found, it still ends up with us.

In addition, we also suffer from staff shortages due to vacation time and sick leave.

It hooks at every nook and cranny.

I hear from other houses that the situation is similar.

More animals are usually given away during the summer holidays.

What's different this year?

We suspect that many who are now overwhelmed acquired the animal during the Corona period.

Especially with dogs you can calculate that based on their age.

Of course, the official reason given by the owners when they are handed in is not the corona pandemic.

These are alleged allergies or lack of time, in individual cases also financial problems or relocations.

In my opinion, the owner then had no interest in making sure that the animal had its place after the move.

Did people choose an animal too carelessly when they were working from home?

Definitive.

Training is underestimated, especially when it comes to dogs.

People get a puppy and think: somehow it works.

But dogs need to be trained and socialized.

We also notice that there are more and more problems when we go for a walk in the vicinity of the animal shelter.

There are more and more owners with dogs who walk without a leash, but are absolutely not available.

That's difficult when you're out and about with a shelter dog yourself, complete with a leash and a muzzle, and suddenly have a misbehaved young dog jumping around in front of you that doesn't listen to its owner.

There is also a lack of consideration for others.

I recently asked an owner to leash his animal if it doesn't listen.

Then he told me: There is no leash compulsory here, if I don't like it I shouldn't be out and about here.

Do animals come back to you that the animal shelter has placed during this time?

During Corona there was also an increased demand from us.

But we sorted it out thoroughly and asked what the intentions were behind it and whether there was a plan for the animal after the home office period.

Our mediation therefore worked well.

It is also usually important for breeders to house animals well.

If an animal is offered via classified ads on the Internet, the seller is often only concerned with the money.

People are not asked if they are aware of how much time an animal takes up.

The sellers are not interested in what becomes of the animal.

Do those who want to get rid of an animal talk to each other again?

In most cases, by the time people contact us, it's already too late.

But when we're full, we're full.

We can't just stuff dogs with behavioral problems somewhere, they have to be trained.

We're trying to find alternatives with the owners.

In many cases we recommend a dog trainer.

However, there is usually not much interest in a solution, and people often say: "We've already tried that, it didn't work" or "I don't have the money for that".

Are more legal requirements for the purchase of animals necessary?

We are happy about everything that contributes to a better situation.

For example, the introduction of a dog license, then at least basic knowledge would have to be available if you want to get a dog.

That would be helpful for the dogs, the owners and the safety of the population.

Then one could also abolish the rattle lists.

In our experience, it's not the dog that's the problem, it's the other end of the leash.

I can turn any dog ​​into a vicious dog.

The rat lists also create chaos because they vary from state to state - it can happen that you actually cannot take your animal with you when you move.

What role does the illegal puppy trade play in animal shelters?

The numbers were horrendous during the Corona period.

In 2021, more than 180 illegally imported animals ended up with us.

That was massively more than in previous years.

What is your advice to people who want to get a pet?

Find out exactly what needs the animal has.

How much time, how much money do I have to spend?

Is there an allergy to animal hair or litter?

What happens to the animal if I'm sick or on vacation?

The animal shelter will be happy to advise you, even if you want to get the animal somewhere else later.

In such cases, however, you should check the source.

Can I reach the seller later if I have questions?

Has the animal been checked through?

If in doubt, you should visit the provider several times.

Handovers in the parking lot are usually a warning signal.