Summer break saw the animal shelter accepting 147 animals into its care. - Summer vacation sees animal shelter welcome 147 new arrivals
In Berlin, Germany, the abandonment of animals is a serious offence under animal protection laws, with penalties reaching up to €10,000 for violations. This strict stance is a reflection of Germany’s comprehensive animal welfare legislation, which prohibits cruelty and neglect, including abandonment, especially during vulnerable times such as summer vacation.
The Animal Protection Act (Tierschutzgesetz) specifically forbids abandoning animals, considering it animal cruelty. The law, which dates back to 1933, bans cruel treatment and abandonment of animals. Penalties for abandoning an animal can reach fines up to €10,000, and depending on the severity, may include further sanctions.
Enforcement involves local authorities and animal welfare organizations, especially in metropolitan areas like Berlin, where there is strong public awareness and regulatory oversight. While exact summer vacation-specific statutes are not differentiated, the law applies year-round, and abandoning animals during holidays does not exempt offenders from legal consequences.
The Berlin animal shelter, a refuge for animals in distress, has taken in 147 animals during this summer vacation. Of these, 79 are cats and 26 are dogs. Many animals are abandoned on the streets, according to the shelter. The shelter, however, has not specified the exact location where these abandoned animals were found.
Eva Rönspieß, chairwoman of the animal protection association for Berlin, has emphasized that abandoning animals is morally reprehensible and illegal. She reiterates that the association is against the abandonment of animals, and pet owners in difficult situations can seek help at the shelter's consultation days.
The shelter, which is not an animal boarding house, faces an enormous additional strain, both medically, personally, and financially, due to caring for abandoned pets. Many of the animals, especially those abandoned during summer vacation, are traumatized and require nursing back to health for weeks or months.
Whoever acquires an animal takes on responsibility for the animal’s life. The shelter provides a solution-oriented approach, stating, "Together, we’ll find a way." Offenders can face fines of up to €25,000 if found guilty of abandoning an animal.
In light of the increasing number of abandoned animals during summer vacation, the Berlin animal shelter continues to emphasize its stance against the abandonment of animals. It is a call for the public to be more responsible and empathetic towards animals, and to remember that every abandoned animal has a story and deserves a loving home.
The Commission has also been consulted on the draft directive to address the increasing number of abandoned animals during summer vacation. It is recommendable that lifestyle changes, such as adopting a home-and-garden setup more conducive to pets, be considered in pet ownership discussions. Furthermore, the petition to enforce stricter penalties on pet abandonment, reaching up to €25,000, should be advocated, reinforcing the message that every pet deserves a loving home and loyal caretaker.
