Tierheim Starnberg imposes a freeze on admission: more and more pets from Corona times are being given away
Created: 08/11/2022, 07:05
By: Laura Forster
Still looking for a new home: "Pippi" and "Longstocking" from the Ukraine with animal keeper Betty Kastner (left) and animal shelter manager Christine Hermann.
© Photographer: Andrea Jaksch
The Starnberg animal shelter has temporarily suspended admissions.
Too many dogs, cats and wild animals have been given away lately.
The animal shelter is bursting at the seams, and the willingness to donate is noticeably decreasing.
A flea market planned for Saturday should help.
Starnberg – 30 cats, 25 dogs and a large number of small animals currently live in the Starnberg animal shelter on Franziskusweg.
It hasn't been this crowded in a long time.
“We have imposed a freeze on admissions.
We simply cannot accommodate any more animals at the moment.
There is a waiting list, and we offer the section 'Home wanted - animals from private' on the website," says Tanja Wieber, deputy animal shelter manager in Starnberg.
The full kennels and cat houses are among other things an aftermath of the Corona pet boom.
"In the past two weeks alone, seven new dogs have been handed over to us," says Wieber.
These are not animals that the shelter itself has mediated, but mostly dogs from foreign animal protection organizations.
New dog owners underestimated the time and work involved
“During the pandemic, many got a pet.
Some underestimated the amount of work and time involved," the deputy animal shelter manager is certain.
"People have to work in the office every day again, but you can't leave a dog at home alone for eight hours.
In addition, the travel fever starts again.
Many people ask themselves where to put the animal.” In addition, dog owners without experience are overwhelmed.
“Especially dogs from animal shelters abroad are often not easy.
They know no leash, no children, no cities.” In the worst case, the dog is so frightened that it snaps, pinches or growls.
"Then people no longer know what to do with the animal and bring it to us."
Fortunately, there are not only people who want to give up their dogs, but also those who are looking for a new family member.
"We have a lot of requests.
There is a lid for almost every pot, for some it just takes a little longer.” Getting to know each other, meeting the dog trainer at the animal shelter and going for a walk several times are obligatory before the dog can be taken home.
"The animals should find a place to live."
Dogs and cats from Ukraine are looking for a new home
In addition to the dogs that owners bought during the pandemic, the majority of the animals currently living on Franziskusweg come from an animal shelter in Ukraine.
"A transport driver asked us if we had room for 13 dogs and 11 cats from Kharkiv that were rescued from the war," says Wieber.
“Many animals have already been adopted.
Only one cat and seven dogs are still looking for a master.”
However, the employees not only take care of the many pets, ducklings from Lake Wessling, hedgehogs, a raven, dormice and squirrel babies also have to be cared for on a daily basis.
"It's quite a waste of time.
We have to feed the small wild animals every two hours – even at night.” As soon as they are fit and big enough again, the animals are to be released into the wild.
As soon as they are big and fit, the dormouse babies are to be released back into the wild.
© Photographer: Andrea Jaksch
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Although the shelter is currently full, the willingness to donate is declining.
“Energy prices are rising, everything is becoming more expensive.
We feel that too.” To counteract this, the animal shelter came up with an idea.
There will be a flea market next Saturday, August 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
"New goods from two business liquidations with decorative items and animal lover's accessories are sold, as well as everything to do with pet supplies," says Wieber.
