In France, the OCAD (Observatory for the Protection of Domestic Carnivores) reports that around 200,000 animals are taken in annually by shelters and protection associations. Some organisations believe the real number could exceed 330,000, depending on how “abandonment” is defined. In response, the French Ministry of Agriculture launched the #StopAbandon awareness campaign this summer.
In Luxembourg, the main shelter operated by the Luxembourg League for the Protection of Animals (LNPA) in Gasperich says the situation seems less severe. “We haven’t seen an increase in abandonments since the summer holidays at our shelter,” they told our colleagues at RTL Infos.
In 2024, the Gasperich shelter recorded 85 abandoned dogs and 69 abandoned cats. Peaks for dogs occurred in March and June, while cats were most often abandoned in January and August. Large dogs and stray cats are most frequently affected, with common reasons cited including divorce, allergies, or changes in employment.
The shelter manages demand through waiting lists and has expanded its care team to include a part-time veterinarian and staff trained in animal physiotherapy. Dog training and preventive measures, such as sterilisation, neutering of outdoor cats, and mandatory microchipping are part of the LNPA’s strategy to reduce abandonment.
The LNPA also urges potential adopters to carefully consider the long-term commitment of pet ownership: “Think about your time and finances, who will care for the pet during holidays, and choose an animal suited to your lifestyle. You have to keep in mind that a dog typically lives around 12 years, a cat around 18.”
A recent parliamentary question from CSV MP Octavie Modert to Agriculture Minister Martine Hansen confirmed that Luxembourg has no centralised national statistics on pet abandonment. In 2024, the LNPA shelter recorded 217 cats “found”, of which 39 were returned to their owners. Of these, 69 were classified as genuinely abandoned, highlighting the difference between “found” and “abandoned” animals.
Each year, the Ministry of Agriculture and the LNPA run awareness campaigns before summer and Christmas, promoting responsible pet ownership. The Luxembourg Veterinary and Food Administration (ALVA) emphasises neutering as a key welfare measure to prevent unwanted litters. Under the law of 27 June 2018, all cats with outdoor access must be neutered, except for stray cats on farms.
Shelter provision in Luxembourg is uneven, particularly in the north, where care facilities are limited. In contrast, the south has shelters in Dudelange, Esch-sur-Alzette, Schifflange, and Gasperich. This differs from France and Germany, where organisations like the SPA centralise data and provide broader coverage.
While abandonment remains a less documented problem in Luxembourg than in France or Germany, local figures, observations from shelters, and ALVA recommendations show that the phenomenon should not be underestimated.
The LNPA advises “to think carefully, to ask yourself the right questions: do I have the time, do I have the financial means, who will look after the dog when I go on vacation, can I bring the dog on vacation, which dog suits my lifestyle etc.” before adopting an animal.
