As of: February 27, 2024, 2:54 p.m
By: Anna Liebelt
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Uschi van Dam (66) has been petting cats at the animal shelter in Ebersberg for several years.
© Collage by Stefan Rossmann
Uschi van Dam (66) has been caring for the cats at the Ebersberg animal shelter on a voluntary basis for seven years.
Their sometimes cruel fate also leaves its mark on the experienced helper.
Ebersberg – The kitten lies huddled together in a hollow on the side of the road.
It is hardly visible, only the tabby fur flashes from the high bushes between the white and black guide posts.
One car after another rushes past.
The little cat watches the traffic crouched and with a fearful look.
She may flee, but she cannot move.
Her paw is shattered, her jaw is broken.
Uschi van Dam visits every weekend: some cats are eagerly awaiting her
A few months later and a few kilometers further: Uschi van Dam (66) is currently visiting the Ebersberg animal rescue station.
She stands in front of a closed door on the first floor and looks into the interior of the room through a window.
Her face lights up and she suddenly smiles.
“There’s my sweetheart,” says van Dam.
A look into one of the rooms in the Ebersberg animal shelter, where two cats have made themselves comfortable.
© Stefan Rossmann
She disinfects her hands at the disinfectant dispenser next to the door and wears blue overshoes on her feet.
Then she turns the key, the door opens and a quiet meow breaks the silence.
A tabby cat runs towards her, brushes around her feet.
Van Dam bends down and lifts the cat in her arms.
“This is Sina,” she says and strokes the purring she-cat on the head.
Uschi van Dam has been petting cats at the Ebersberg animal shelter on a volunteer basis for seven years
Whether abandoned, escaped, confiscated or surrendered: Uschi van Dam has been volunteering to look after the big and small furry friends at the Ebersberg animal shelter for seven years.
Every weekend, the 66-year-old visits her protégés, plays with them and pampers them to the fullest.
“I enjoy it, I like coming here,” says Zornedinger, who has three cats herself.
Every animal has its own story
Uschi van Dam, volunteer at the Ebersberg animal shelter
In the back of her mind she always has the sometimes cruel fate that brought the animals to the pink building in the Ebersberg industrial area.
During her time at the animal welfare association, van Dam has experienced a lot: whether it was puppies packed in plastic bags and disposed of in a container, rabbits confiscated by the veterinary office or a cat seriously injured by a combine harvester.
“It’s really cruel,” says van Dam, summing up the experience.
“Every animal has its own story,” she emphasizes.
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Almost a dozen cats are currently in the care of the animal welfare association
So does kitten Sina.
“She was hit and came to us from the Haar veterinary clinic,” says the senior citizen as the tabby cat nestles against her upper body.
The volunteers don't know how old Sina is.
She is neither chipped nor tattooed.
“We estimate she is around a year old.”
However, the young cat shows no signs of her bad past.
She is a cuddly cat in the truest sense of the word.
However, not all residents of the Ebersberg animal shelter are as trusting and loving as Sina.
Almost a dozen cats are currently in the care of the animal welfare association, two of them are in quarantine.
“We recently had the two babies as foundlings.
They still have to be checked by the vet,” explains van Dam.
Until then, the as yet unnamed animals will remain in a specially designated room next to the “infirmary”.
The animal rescue station in Ebersberg is a refuge for stranded cats and other fellow sufferers.
© Stefan Rossmann
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Character is crucial: Not every animal can be adopted quickly
The remaining cats Shakira, Lara, Leo, Ludwig, Susi, Fips and Mia are in three other rooms on the ground floor. At twelve years old, the latter is currently the oldest resident in the animal shelter.
“She is deaf and therefore difficult to adopt,” says van Dam about the white she-cat with blue eyes.
The youngest “hotel guest” lives in the room directly opposite, as the volunteer calls the animal shelter residents.
In contrast to his fellow cats, Fips the cat is still very reserved.
“It’s important to have patience,” says van Dam.
“Sometimes I just sit in the room and wait for him to come to me.” This method has worked wonders for many shy cats.
“I enjoy it, I like coming here”: Uschi van Dam with Sina, who has a difficult fate.
© Stefan Rossmann
“A laughing and a crying eye”: Happy ending for kitten Sina
The Zornedinger spends at least half an hour in each room, petting the animals, giving them treats and playing with them.
“I often stay longer with a sick animal,” she says.
This gives her a feel for what makes cats tick.
“When you see the animals coming out of the clinic, the more they thrive with us, the more beautiful it is,” says the 66-year-old and smiles.
With so many cuddles, the animals quickly grow on her.
It is not uncommon for the farewell to be very emotional.
“One laughing eye and one crying eye.
But of course I’m happy when a cat finds a new home,” emphasizes the Zornedinger.
For kitten Sina the time may soon come.
A family is interested in the young cat.
A blessing in disguise that not every animal in the Ebersberger animal shelter has.
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