As recently known, up to 60 cats stayed in a one-room apartment in Belm. The district and the Katzenschutzbund Osnabrück could only cope with the situation with a large organizational and personal effort.
Not a compulsive animal accumulation
“The named animal husbandry was not a 'Messi household' in the classic sense, since there was no extreme disorder there,” writes Henning Müller-Detter from the district press office at the request of Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung. According to Müller-Detter, there is also no case of “animal-hoarding” because the cats were not “compulsively collected”.
According to the district, the cause of the large number of cats is due to the uncontrolled reproduction of a single pair of cats. As a result, the animal population in the apartment grew to around 60 animals. “The cats lived in a one -room apartment with kitchen, bathroom, balcony and terrace with free access.” The apartment was in a well -groomed condition, but the attitude was not “due to the strong over -occupation and the poor veterinary care”.
Number of animals was initially reduced
In May 2023, animal husbandry was reported to the responsible veterinary service. “Even then, orders were made on the basis of the Animal Welfare Act,” writes Müller-Detter. “Among other things, the animal population should be reduced to a maximum of two neutered cats.”
The animal owner received support from the municipality, the Osnabrück Catal Protection Association and the veterinary service. Together, castration dates were organized and mediations were prepared so that the number of animals could initially be reduced to 24. A volunteer veterinarian helped the interventions.
Further accommodation of the remaining animals
Despite the extensive help, the woman could ultimately not meet the requirements. “In the end, the pet owner left the remaining cats from the Osnabrück Katzenschutzbund and did not return to her apartment,” said Müller-Detert.
After moving out, the cats were continued to be cared for on site until the district had them fully brought them out of the apartment as part of several actions.
Several positions were involved in the rescue operation. “Different places worked closely together here. In addition to Gut Aiderbichl, which included most of the cats, the Osnabrück Catal Protection Association, private foster homes and a cooperating veterinary practice were also involved, which took over both medical care and mediation.” Depending on the use, between four and ten helpers were on site at the same time.
An extraordinary individual case
According to Müller-Detter, there are no indications that the cats were kept for sale. “Rather, it was an overwhelming situation. Due to the lack of castrations, an uncontrolled population emerged from the lack of castrations, which the pet owner could not be managed despite existing efforts.”
The district speaks of a “particularly stored individual case that cannot be equated with other cases”. The successful solution was only possible through the close cooperation between the municipality, veterinary service, animal rights activists and volunteers.
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