The German Animal Welfare Federation and its Schleswig-Holstein regional association are supporting the 18th Schleswig-Holstein cat neutering campaign, which starts on October 7. Provided the funds are not used up before then, the campaign will run until November 1, with the aim of reducing the suffering of stray cats and at the same time relieving the burden on animal shelters. Neutering is free of charge for animal welfare organizations and those bringing in unneutered stray cats in the participating municipalities.
“The animal shelters in the country are overcrowded all year round with found cats, most of which come from stray cats. If two are rehomed, four new ones are added. The state-wide neutering campaign helps to stem the flood of cats,” says Ellen Kloth, Chairwoman of the Schleswig-Holstein state association and Vice President of the German Animal Welfare Federation. At the same time, Kloth also appeals to cat owners: “Outdoor cats should definitely be neutered. Because as long as unneutered outdoor cats breed uncontrollably with unneutered stray cats, animal suffering is the result.” Thomas Schröder, President of the German Animal Welfare Federation, adds: “The flood of cats in animal shelters is contributing massively to overcrowding; many facilities are at their limit. In order to relieve the burden on animal shelters and reduce the suffering of stray cats in the long term, there needs to be a nationwide castration requirement for outdoor cats.”
Animal rights activists acquire donations for neutering campaign
The German Animal Welfare Federation and its Schleswig-Holstein regional association contributed 10,000 euros to the neutering campaign. In addition, thanks to the commitment of the state association, the environmental lottery “BINGO!” provided 155,000 euros for the current and subsequent campaign and 10,000 euros from the Humane Society International. The state of Schleswig-Holstein has provided 110,000 euros for 2024. The participating municipalities cover 50 percent of the neutering costs incurred in the municipality. Private individuals can also contribute financially.
Procedure of the campaign
The offer in Schleswig-Holstein is primarily aimed at animal welfare organizations, but also at other people who bring in cats that have been found. In order for the vets to be able to neuter the cats free of charge, the animals must have been caught in one of the participating municipalities. In addition, the person delivering the cat must confirm that it is a street cat. After neutering, the cats are marked with a transponder with a microchip and registered with FINDEFIX, the pet register of the German Animal Welfare Federation. After neutering, the cats are released at the places where they were found.
Campaigns are promising
Since the start of the project in 2014, animal welfare campaigners have carried out 17 campaigns in Schleswig-Holstein together with the state and local authorities. The total number of animals neutered is around 28,000. 718 cats were neutered during this year's spring campaign - 402 females and 316 males.
More information on the campaign, a list of participating municipalities and all documents can be found on the websites of the state government and the Chamber of Veterinarians.
