Mary Allen
Adopting a cat from an animal shelter is a good idea from an animal welfare point of view. We explain your rights and obligations and what else you need to pay attention to.
Numerous cats are waiting for a new home in Swiss animal shelters. For example in the cat shelter in Muttenz BL. As part of the Basel Animal Welfare Association, the cat shelter offers space for up to 150 cats. Many are quickly reassigned. According to managing director Mahana Haizmann, 330 cats were accepted last year.
Another type of “animal shelter” is the Katzenfreunde Schweiz. Instead of a fixed location, the association runs around 30 private nursing homes. Each is registered with a competent veterinary office. Most are allowed to accommodate up to five cats at a time. The association took in a total of 143 cats in 2019. All were mediated. “So far, we’ve always found the right home,” says Manuela Gutermann, President of Katzenfreunde Schweiz. “At the same time, our association can take in about 150 cats, but this is rarely the case.”
Caroline Mulle, a legal researcher at the Stiftung für das Tier im Recht (TIR), explains that both institutions are structured differently but still work in a similar way: “From a legal point of view, animal shelters can be both sole proprietorships and legal entities, such as foundations or association, be designed or belong to one.» Depending on the number of animals being cared for, different training requirements are placed on the responsible persons.
Almost Every Cat is Accepted
“If an owner no longer wants to or can’t take care of his animal, we speak of a renunciation animal,” explains Mullen. Animal shelters and foster homes are not legally obliged to take in cats that have been given up. “You are free to enter into a contract with the carrier of an animal or not.” As a rule, animal shelters would accept all cats. At most, animals with poor health, insufficient vaccination protection, aggressive behavior, or if the capacity of the home is insufficient would be rejected. Mahena Haizmann and her team in the cat shelter try to take in as many cats in need as possible. “We only have to cancel if it’s no longer possible for reasons of space.” It’s the same with Manuela Gutermann: “We only try to place cats on our website that are extremely used to being outside and don’t want to be locked up.” If this does not work, these cats would also be included.
Both animal shelters regulate a recording contractually. From a legal point of view, the owner would also be willingly giving up his property right by giving up his property, says Caroline Mulle from TIR. “For reasons of proof, however, the owner should always sign a declaration that he unconditionally waives any claims to ownership of the animal.” A contribution towards expenses is also usual, since care, medical care and referral are expensive.
Animal shelters do not receive any public funding. “Although their important role is undisputed and they relieve the public sector of numerous animal welfare tasks, they usually do not receive any state support in this country,” says Mullen. Like all Swiss animal shelters, Katzenfreunde Schweiz and Katzenheim are private institutions. They are financed through donations, membership fees, or additional services such as holiday pensions – and also expenses. Reasons for the delivery are usually not requested at the time of handover. But detailed information on the character, health, and vaccination status of the cat to ensure the best possible placement later.