Chilling Findings: Cats Alarmingly Mishandled in Germany's Homes
Frequent Incidents of Animal Cruelty Towards Cats Reported in Germany - Animals Cruelty in Germany: Cats Often Targeted
By Annette B.Last read: 2 min
In an eye-opening report by Germany's Animal Welfare Federation, they've uncovered some startling truths - an uptick in feline neglect, mistreatment, and abandonment. Cooped up COVID times are believed to be the culprit for this disturbing trend.
The Federation's recent investigation shows that cats suffer at the hands of their owners more than ever, primarily due to a lack of knowledge and financial constraints. In their May press release, the report titled "Big Cat Protection," paints a bleak picture of Germany's beloved furball family members.
To gather data, the organization surveyed approximately 4,200 veterinary practices nationwide. Shockingly, one in four veterinarians reported an increase in cat suffering since the pandemic hit.
Cat Suffering on a Huge Scale
From the survey results, 27% of participating veterinarians have witnessed a spike in cat-related animal cruelty cases since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. These poor creatures are neglected, poorly cared for, or simply abandoned.
Pet owners who lack education about the feline's needs, care, and proper handling add to the growing problem, as do those who struggle financially to provide essential vet care.
Keeping a cat can become quite costly, as cat care experts highlighted. Regular vaccinations, parasite treatments, spaying/neutering, and veterinary treatments are essential, as are food, toys, and accessories. Cats aren't invincible—they do catch diseases too.
Germany, home to nearly 16 million cats, ranks them the most popular pet in the country, with an additional two million new pets acquired during the pandemic alone.
Animal Hoarding Unscathed: Cats the Biggest Victims
Local animal welfare organizations affiliated with the German Animal Welfare Federation have corroborated these findings. They've reported a surge in animal cruelty towards cats in their districts too. Additionally, the Federation's assessments reveal that felines have been the most impacted animal species by animal hoarding in recent years. Such cases usually end in sick, neglected, or deceased animals.
Keywords:- Cat- Germany- Inhumane Treatment- COVID-19- Domestic Pet- German Animal Welfare Federation- Pet Ownership- Animal Cruelty
Additional Insights:
- Lack of Awareness: Many cat owners aren't educated on their pets' needs and appropriate care, which exacerbates the issue.
- Economic Factors: Financial difficulties might also contribute to the mistreatment and neglect of cats by their owners.
- Pet Boom: The surge in pet purchasing during the pandemic, especially cats, resulted in a large turnover of animals and increased instances of cat suffering.
Implications:
- Poor Animal Welfare: The neglect and cruelty towards cats have massive implications for animal welfare as it leads to physical and emotional distress for these animals.
- Legal Action: In Germany, animal cruelty is illegal, prompting further investigations and legal action against offenders.
- The German Animal Welfare Federation's report reveals a concerning increase in feline neglect, mistreatment, and abandonment, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The investigation by the German Animal Welfare Federation found that many cat owners lack knowledge about their pets' needs, care, and handling, contributing to the growing problem.
- Financial constraints are also a significant factor in the mistreatment and neglect of cats, as keeping a cat can be costly due to necessary veterinary care, food, toys, and accessories.
- Regional animal welfare organizations have reported a surge in animal cruelty towards cats, and studies show that felines have been the most impacted animal species by animal hoarding in recent years.
