At the weekend, the animal welfare organisation Tierschutzverein Gießen und Umgebung e.V. inaugurated a new cat enclosure at the open day at the animal shelter in Gießen. A modern dog house is currently being built. Stadtwerke Gießen is helping to finance this with a donation as part of the 75 good deeds.
Some people want to part with their cat, dog or guinea pig, others have to for certain reasons. Whether it is a lack of money, illness or simply the realisation that a pet is too much for its owner. "Sometimes, for example, families underestimate the challenge of having a dog. This is because the desire for a pet is often greater than the awareness of the task. The initial enthusiasm for the animal friend can easily turn into a burden for masters and mistresses," explains Hanna-Maria Rethorn, 1st Chairwoman of the Tierschutzverein Gießen und Umgebung (TSV). She assures: "We help in these cases." For around 50 years, four-legged friends in need of help have found shelter and species-appropriate accommodation at the animal shelter in Giessen. Usually for a certain period of time - until they have won the heart of an animal lover.
Cat enclosure opened - dog house under construction
7 employees care for around 100 pets at the centre and are committed to finding homes for them. During their stay at the emergency shelter, the cats will probably feel even more at home than before. This is because the animal shelter inaugurated a new enclosure for the sleek four-legged friends at the open day.
"From one day to the next, the old shelter collapsed," explains the animal shelter manager, Doreen Hübl. The roots of the surrounding trees had loosened the bars of the enclosure from their anchorage, meaning that the cats could have escaped outside at any time. The animal welfare organisation had saved up the funds for a larger investment. However, the money was earmarked for the construction of a new dog house. After 30 years, the old one had numerous defects. "We couldn't afford two building sites, which is why we had to put the accommodation for our dogs on hold for the time being," reveals Hanna-Maria Rethorn.
However, work will soon resume - sooner than hoped. One of the reasons: Stadtwerke Gießen (SWG) donated 2,000 euros at the open day as part of the 75 good deeds. Sieglinde Römer from the Technical Services department at SWG presented the cheque to Hanna-Maria Rethorn and Katja Kastl, management of the animal shelter. Together with her husband, the SWG employee was looking for two dogs herself a few years ago. The couple finally found what they were looking for at the Giessen animal shelter. "Animals are very close to my heart and we have supported the organisation several times in our private lives. When I was looking for the 75 good deeds, I immediately knew who one of the donations should go to," said Sieglinde Römer at the cheque presentation.
"Some time ago, we hadn't expected that the construction of the dog house would be completed so quickly after the cat enclosure," said Katja Kastl, emphasising the importance of the donation: "All the members of the association and staff at our facility are delighted with the financial help. After all, it will directly benefit those we are all so committed to - the animals in need."