Luxembourg’s animal shelters have been overwhelmed by an influx of pets and they now find themselves improvising to support the abandoned animals. Paul Weber, president of the Dudelange Animal Shelter, points out that his shelter currently houses 12 dogs with only five cages.
Already saturated, the shelters have noticed an uptick in abandoned animals. Dogs, cats, rabbits and rodents are being left behind for reasons not fully known; Sacha André of the Schifflange Asylum for Animals believes children losing interest in their pets may be part of the cause.
Another plausible hypothesis is that owners find themselves swamped by the responsibilities of keeping a pet - especially concerning dog ownership. André of the Schifflange Asylum posits that some owners haven’t thought the situation through, or haven’t informed themselves enough about the needs of certain breeds.
Financial reasons may also compel owners to part ways with their pets. An increasing number of people are left with no choice but to move homes, and pets might be forbidden in their owner’s new set-up.
Over-saturated shelters now face extensive ‘waiting lists’ of abandoned pets looking to be brought in, often the result of a tied-up owner’s late reaction.
Whilst shelters are resorting to make-shift solutions to rescue as many animals as possible, long-term solutions are needed. Above all, the shelters agree that individuals should be held accountable for their pets and think twice before opting for a four-legged friend.
Read more about the situation for sheltered animals, as well as further information for adopting pets in Luxembourg.
