Animal shelters are struggling with large numbers of cats and dogs with behavioral issues

An overabundance of kittens, dogs with behavioral issues, and sick animals are straining Saxony’s animal shelters. While there have been fewer abandoned animals to deal with during this year’s summer vacation, these problems persist throughout the year, said Michael Sperlich, head of the Saxony State Animal Welfare Association, in response to an inquiry. “Except for the kittens, which keep us busy from early summer through the Christmas season.”

Lack of a Cat Protection Ordinance in Saxony

Sperlich holds the Saxon government responsible, accusing it of inaction regarding the introduction of a cat protection ordinance. Such an ordinance would require owners of outdoor cats throughout Saxony to have their cats neutered, thereby curbing the proliferation of stray cats. Dogs with behavioral issues, on the other hand, are the result of owners who lack the necessary expertise and are overwhelmed, according to Sperlich. Sick animals are currently ending up in shelters frequently because many owners can no longer afford the significantly increased veterinary costs.

Many cats also end up at the Dresden animal shelter

The Dresden animal shelter also reports being overwhelmed because it has to take in many animals for mandatory care whose owners did not provide adequate care. Here, too, cats make up the majority of the new arrivals. Since the start of summer vacation, 18 stray cats have been taken in, including a mother with two kittens who had definitely been abandoned, according to the Dresden Veterinary and Food Safety Office. No dogs were abandoned during this period.

So far, there has been no increase in the number of animals abandoned or surrendered during the vacation, according to Sperlich and the Dresden office. However, adoptions are proceeding slowly during this time. People generally go on vacation first and then return to the topic of pet ownership afterward, Sperlich said. But that makes sense, he added.