The German Animal Welfare Federation and its Mecklenburg-Vorpommern regional association are currently coordinating a rescue operation for 250 to 300 degus from an animal hoarding case in the district of Mecklenburgische Seenplatte. The neglected animals, which are in a poor condition, had multiplied uncontrollably in their owners' homes.
"20 degus, which were crammed into a 100-liter aquarium, have already been freed from the inappropriate conditions. Some of their fur was full of excrement, their skin had scabs, their eyes were infected and many of the animals had bite wounds with open sores. Most of the females are probably pregnant," says Margret Kuhlmann, Chairwoman of the German Animal Welfare Federation Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, explaining the condition of the animals.
The number of degus still being kept, some of which are sitting in broken cages or running around freely in the apartment, cannot yet be determined exactly. In order to rescue these animals, the animal welfare activists are dependent on other animal welfare organizations from all over Germany that are willing to take in degus. This will allow the local veterinary office to gradually remove the animals from their previous homes.
Degus have already been taken in by the Malchow animal shelter, the Demmin animal shelter and the Sadelkow animal welfare federation. They will pass the animals on to suitable new owners. The German Animal Welfare Association Mecklenburg-Vorpommern organizes transport trips so that animals can also be taken to associations that are unable to collect the degus themselves. The German Animal Welfare Federation, as the umbrella organization for animal welfare associations and animal shelters in Germany, covers the travel costs. The German Animal Welfare Association can also reimburse affiliated animal welfare organizations that take in degus for any veterinary costs incurred.
"When we heard that the degus might end up as food animals for zoos due to their huge numbers, it was clear that we had to help. The animals deserve a species-appropriate new home," says Lea Schmitz, press officer at the German Animal Welfare Federation. It is not uncommon for animal husbandry to get out of hand like in the current case: the latest evaluation by the German Animal Welfare Federation for the year 2023 shows that 6,691 animals were affected in 115 known cases of animal hoarding - more than ever before.
