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Sounds like on the farm, but it's in the animal shelter.
In addition to masses of puppies from the illegal online trade, abandoned roosters and chickens make up the majority of the animals recently admitted to the Hamburg animal shelter.
A bizarre side effect of the pandemic.
Dr. Urte Inkmann, Veterinary Director of the Hamburg Animal Welfare Association:
“In the corona pandemic, many people simply
longed
for such a down-to-earth, rural life again and in this situation, many people came up with the idea of buying chickens. We have been flooded here with taps that have been given up because the whole neighborhood has complained. Some kept chickens on balconies, sometimes even in flower boxes, and did not find out what the needs of chickens were in advance. "
During the pandemic, many people bought pets: According to the industry association for pet supplies, there is an increase of one million compared to the previous year.
But many owners are now realizing: the acquisition was not such a good idea, the animal has to go away again.
Hester Pommerening, Deutscher Tierschutzbund eV:
“Very few people admit that they really want to get rid of such a corona project pet again.
Often allergies are put forward that occurred suddenly or the animals are simply simply abandoned.
The only thing that becomes clear is the age of the animals: Okay, they were purchased in the last year and a half during Corona.
Those were probably the kind of spontaneous purchases that are just in the way now that the easing is back. "
Pandemic easing, vacation and school holidays - many new owners now lack time for their animals.
But many simply have no idea how to deal with the animals.
Dr. Urte Inkmann, Veterinary Management Hamburg Animal Welfare Association:
“Well, there are actually inquiries that people say: Um, yes.
The vet didn't take my health insurance card at all.
Who should pay for that now?
So you have to be clear about all these things when you buy an animal before you buy.
And you also have to be aware that such an animal can live fifteen, sixteen, twenty years. "
A lack of responsibility, thoughtlessness and ignorance push the animal shelters to their limits.
But the problem also has a political level.
Because the wave of sales is not entirely unexpected.
Hester Pommerening, Deutscher Tierschutzbund eV:
“What we have been demanding for years is that the animal shelters naturally receive more support from the municipalities. So that basically politics also provides a funding pot for the animal shelters, which take on public tasks for the state, municipalities and cities. Basically, the animal shelters have to pay for what has not been prevented preventively by politics on the other side. "
The Hamburg animal shelter also suffers from the neglect of politics. The city sees its financial obligations covered by existing contracts. According to the animal shelter, the financing is uncertain every year. A dilapidated cat house and illegal online trading are worsening the situation - the Corona project pets are on top of that. That is why the animal shelter was about to stop accepting newcomers, which has still not finally been averted.
