Hamburg. Before and during the summer holidays, the Hamburg Animal Welfare Association of 1841 eV (HTV) the ever-increasing number of lost animals is a cause for concern. Although the end of the holidays has now arrived, the situation in the animal shelter remains precarious due to a lack of space. A ban on accepting dogs has so far had to be maintained, and one for cats was added this week. The number of animals exceeds that of the 2023 season and is causing major problems for the shelter staff.
During the summer holidays, from July 18 to August 28, a total of 214 suspected abandoned animals were taken in at the Süderstraße animal shelter – in 2023 there were 190.
“Every year we come to the same point with the summer holidays. It is so sad and predictable that you would think we would be used to it. We are not. Every year it is shocking how high the numbers are. It makes us sad and concerned to see the conditions in which some of the animals come to us. Also the way in which people get rid of their animals and accept that the creatures they once wanted to take responsibility for will never be found or will die. This year, the high numbers of cats are particularly tragic. Without a cat protection ordinance, nothing will change in this situation and the massive suffering that comes with it,” explains HTV chairwoman Janet Bernhardt.
Since the start of the holidays, 12 dogs, 133 cats, 12 rabbits, 1 guinea pig, 2 hamsters, 1 rat, 1 mouse, 1 bearded dragon, 1 gecko, 31 exotic birds, 5 chickens, 2 quails, 6 pigeons and 5 turtles have been taken into the animal shelter and not picked up again. In recent years, comparatively few dogs have been abandoned, and the association cites the fact that microchipping is mandatory in Hamburg as the reason for this. Unfortunately, help came too late for 28 of the holiday victims. Some of them were found in such a bad condition that they died before or after arriving at the HTV or had to be put down – some in external veterinary practices, to which they had previously been brought by private individuals or by the HTV's mobile animal rescue service.
Some of the holiday victims
This cream-colored Spitz mixed breed dog was found tied up in front of the Franziskus animal shelter in Lokstedt on July 20th and was picked up by one of the HTV rescue drivers. The little dog, who is called 'Franka' in the HTV, had a lot of accessories and a note that was supposed to explain why she was abandoned, but still left many questions unanswered. A chip was found on the approximately six-year-old dog, but it was not registered. Animal caretakers estimate her date of birth to be around 2018.
This female, beige Chihuahua puppy was found in a box on August 7th in a strawberry field at Öjendorfer Park in Billstedt. The dog, who was only a few weeks old, was in very poor health: she was underdeveloped, listless and had diarrhea – she was obviously in pain. She also had hydrocephalus and was probably blind. Due to her poor condition, the little one, who was given the name 'Rainbow' in the HTV, unfortunately had to be put down. A chip could not be found on her.
This black Cane Corso puppy with a white chest patch was found on August 5th in the Höltigbaum nature reserve in Rahlstedt near the local dog run. A chip could not be found on the male dog, who was born around the end of May 2024. The young man, who was given the name 'Andi' in the HTV, has already been placed in responsible and loving hands.
Abandoning an animal is prohibited!
In all of the above-mentioned cases of abandoned animals, the HTV is asking the people of Hamburg for information that could lead to the identification of those responsible. According to Section 3 Paragraph 3 of the Animal Welfare Act (Animal Welfare Act) it is forbidden to abandon an animal that is kept in a house, business or otherwise in human care, or to leave it behind in order to get rid of it or to evade the owner's or carer's duties. Abandoning an animal is an administrative offence and can be punished with a fine of up to 25,000 euros in accordance with Section 18 Paragraph 1 No. 4 of the Animal Welfare Act. In individual cases, if the animal dies or suffers considerable suffering as a result of the abandonment, this is a criminal offence in accordance with Section 17 of the Animal Welfare Act. This can be punished with a prison sentence of up to three years or a fine.