Animal rights activists demonstration in front of "Zoo Zajac" - shortly after the death of Norbert Zajac

Created: 12/22/2022, 4:23 p.m

By: Peter Seven

Demonstration in front of "Zoo Zajac" in Duisburg last year: On December 23, animal rights activists want to demonstrate again in front of the world's largest pet shop.

(Archive) © Roland Weihrauch/dpa

Animal lovers want to start a demo against the world's largest pet shop "Zoo Zajac" in Duisburg.

Company founder Norbert Zajac died just a few days ago.

Duisburg – "An animal is a friend, you don't give friends away," says the demo call on Facebook.

On December 23 (Friday) animal rights activists want to demonstrate against the pet shop "Zoo Zajac" in Duisburg.

The action is registered, as a spokeswoman for the police confirmed.

The animal rights activists want to use posters to protest the sale of puppies at “Zoo Zajac” – small dogs are still a popular gift at Christmas.

Norbert Zajac is dead: There were also exotic animals in his pet shop

View photo gallery

Norbert Zajac created the world's largest pet shop in Duisburg

Company founder Norbert Zajac died unexpectedly last Tuesday (December 13) at the age of 67.

He founded the business in 1975 and built it up into a zoo empire over the years: In 2004, "Zoo Zajac" moved to its current location on Konrad-Adenauer-Ring and developed into the largest pet shop in the world - including an entry in the "Guinnes Book of Records". “, reports 24RHEIN.

Zajac called himself an "animal dealer"

For many people, Zajac was a likeable cult figure, also known from various TV documentaries and through his regular YouTube videos: his channel has hundreds of thousands of subscribers.

But Zajac, who called himself "the animal dealer," polarized.

Many criticize the concept of the business, especially against the sale of puppies animal rights activists are up in arms again and again.

Animal Welfare Association criticizes “Zoo Zajac” in Duisburg

The German Animal Welfare Association, for example, has been critical of the puppy trade at "Zoo Zajac" in Duisburg for a long time: "The permanent presentation in the shop means stress for the animals," spokeswoman Hester Pommerening told 24RHEIN.

In addition, the puppies are also a lure and would encourage imprudent spontaneous purchases.

Dogs have not actually been sold in pet shops in Germany since the early 1990s: the members of the Central Association of Zoological Specialists in Germany (ZZF) had agreed to recommend that customers buy them from animal shelters or breeders.

But the pet trade in Duisburg is not a member of the ZZF.

"Zoo Zajac" will continue to sell puppies in the future, as co-managing director Kathi Geven confirmed to this editorial team.

Demo in front of “Zoo Zajac” on Friday

The animal rights activists, who want to start their campaign on Friday in front of the pet shop, are protesting against this.

The protest was apparently planned before Norbert Zajac's death.