In just a few months: mandatory neutering for free-roaming cats in a Bavarian city
Created: 08/03/2022, 18:36
By: Katarina Amtmann
For free-roaming cats in Laufen (Berchtesgaden) there will soon be a castration obligation (symbol image).
© IMAGO / R. Kistowski/Wonderful Earth
In order to avoid suffering for animals, there will soon be a castration obligation for free-ranging cats in a Bavarian region.
A chip will also be mandatory.
Berchtesgadener Land - The Berchtesgadener Land district office provides information on a regulation to protect free-ranging cats: "By February 1, 2023 at the latest, all owners of free-ranging cats in the Laufen municipal area must identify them with a microchip or tattoo, register them in a pet register and have them neutered," it says in the August 2 press release.
Berchtesgadener Land: Neutering and chipping compulsory for free-roaming cats
The regulation is intended to support animal welfare.
In the northern part of the district, it has been proven that there is always great suffering from colonies of stray and feral cats, which are made up of runaway, abandoned or abandoned domestic cats and their offspring, according to the reasoning.
The life expectancy of these animals is very low due to a lack of human and medical care and care.
Common infectious diseases (particularly affecting the eyes and respiratory system), injuries and malnutrition lead to a short life expectancy and great suffering for the animals, the district said.
Previous approach "not sustainably successful"
So far, free-living cats have been regularly caught by animal protection associations and animal rights activists, given veterinary care, castrated, released again at the capture point and looked after.
Although this approach is considered promising, the complex commitment is "not sustainable in the long term as long as unneutered animals regularly migrate from the ranks of the house cats kept and thus maintain the reproductive chain."
Cat Protection Ordinance in Laufen (Berchtesgadener Land)
All owners of free-roaming keeper cats - i.e. kept cats that are allowed to run around uncontrolled - must identify their animals with a microchip, register them in a pet register and have them castrated.
The Cat Protection Ordinance for the municipal area of the city of Laufen comes into force six months after its publication.
The labeling, registration and neutering obligation therefore applies from February 1, 2023.
If, after February 2023, an unneutered owner cat is found by the municipality or a person commissioned by it in the protected area, the municipality can order the cat owner to have the animal neutered.
Until the cat owner is identified, the cat can be taken into care by the municipality or a person commissioned by it.
If it is necessary to enter private or company premises in order to catch the cat, the property owners or tenants are obliged to tolerate this and to support the municipality or a person commissioned by it in gaining access to the cat.
By the way: Our Bayern newsletter informs you about all the important stories from Bavaria. Sign up here.
also read
Tragic accident on the A9: wrong-way driver crashes into two cars head-on – she dies on the spot
Seven-year-old boy dies of Borna virus: mourning in the Upper Bavarian community
The “castration mobile” castrates stray cats on a voluntary basis
Compulsory neutering for free-ranging cats in Bavaria - exceptions possible
Exceptions to the castration obligation (e.g. for breeders) can be approved by the Berchtesgadener Land Veterinary Office upon request.
The Berchtesgadener Land district office provides further information on its website.
“Have your cat tagged, registered and neutered.
Please also make sure that your cat is healthy, has been vaccinated against the most important infectious diseases and is dewormed regularly.
Because you protect your own cat as well as free-ranging cats," appeals the Berchtesgadener Land Veterinary Office.
(came)
In the area of the upper Aschauer Klamm on the north-west side of the Reiter Alpe, the dog "Hardy" has recently gone missing.
Apparently he was chasing game.