Millions of stray cats fight for survival every day in Germany. The German Animal Welfare Federation reminds us of this on this year's World Cat Day on August 8. The association is calling on politicians to curb the often overlooked suffering of these animals by introducing a nationwide neutering requirement for outdoor cats—but every individual cat lover can also actively support stray cats. As part of its “Every cat's life counts” campaign, the association provides tips on how to help. In addition, this year's campaign is receiving prominent support from the world-famous musical CATS: Together with the German Animal Welfare Association and musical producer ATG Entertainment, the stage cats are campaigning for more education, visibility, and protection for stray cats.
“The usually short lives of stray cats are marked by disease and hunger. Every day, volunteers across the country take care of these forgotten animals – they maintain feeding stations and have cats neutered and treated by veterinarians. But animal welfare activists are reaching their limits. They are cleaning up the mess that politicians have so far failed to prevent,” explains Thomas Schröder, president of the German Animal Welfare Federation. "The vicious circle of uncontrolled reproduction can only be ended by neutering – both street cats and outdoor cats from private households. Politicians must finally take action! There is an urgent need for nationwide legislation – as well as education of the general public and the commitment of every individual animal lover. Because every cat deserves protection, care, and our support."
TOGETHER FOR STRAY CATS: HELP INSTEAD OF LOOKING AWAY
Neutering is the only way to curb the growth of stray cat populations in the long term. The glut of feral cats and the extent of their suffering are now unmanageable in many places. The German Animal Welfare Federation points out that every bit of help counts in alleviating the suffering of street cats. Monetary or material donations to animal welfare organizations enable important projects. Neutering your own outdoor cat and spreading the message—whether offline among friends and acquaintances or online via social media—are also important contributions to cat protection. For more information about the campaign and other ways to get involved, visit www.jetzt-katzen-helfen.de.
STAGE CATS FROM THE MUSICAL CATS SUPPORT THE CAMPAIGN
Together with CATS organizer ATG Entertainment and stage performers from the musical, the German Animal Welfare Federation will draw attention to the situation of street cats in Cologne on August 8. With a joint photo campaign on the Cologne Cathedral square, animal welfare activists are calling for action on behalf of the animals. In the evening, the campaign will be presented to the CATS audience with an information stand in the Philharmonie.
Background:
With its current campaign, “Every cat's life counts,” the German Animal Welfare Federation is drawing attention to the suffering of street cats, which has become one of the biggest unnoticed animal welfare problems in Germany. The association provides all the background information in its “Big Cat Protection Report”: www.jetzt-katzen-helfen.de/report
The globally successful musical CATS (www.cats.de), which is currently on tour in Germany, is about group cohesion, compassion, and standing up for one another. That is why the world-famous stage cats and CATS organizer and musical producer ATG Entertainment wholeheartedly support the German Animal Welfare Federation's campaign for stray cats on this year's World Cat Day.
