When love of animals becomes pathological
47 cats lived on 50 square metres
Two years ago, four young kittens moved into a flat in Vienna. The four were not neutered. And so disaster struck. A pair of cats have two to four kittens a year. On average, four kittens are born with each litter. A single pair of cats can thus multiply to well over 70,000 cats in just six years. After two years, the cat owner from Vienna was already living with 47 animals in a small 50 square metre flat in the middle of the city.
The cats multiplied uncontrollably
It was getting cramped. To make sure the cats had enough space, the cat owner slept in the bathtub in winter and on the balcony in summer. But despite his efforts, the animals lacked hygiene and veterinary care. The cats were infected with giardia, which causes severe diarrhoea in the animals. The single pensioner is deaf himself and has had no sense of smell or taste since birth. He was therefore unable to detect the odours himself. He was overwhelmed by the situation. The cats, however, had to live in a very confined space with no free run.
The mobile rescue team from the Volkshilfe project “A G’spia für’s Tier” became aware of the case and asked Gut Aiderbichl for help. The animal rescuers acted immediately and travelled to Vienna. The man’s love of cats was great, unfortunately too great in this case. The man suffers from a mental illness known as “animal hoarding”. This is when people keep large numbers of animals. Despite their great love of animals, they are no longer able to care for them properly. There is a lack of water, food, hygiene and medical care. The worst thing is that the animal owners themselves do not realise that the animals in their care are in a bad way.
Difficult start to a new cat's life
When the animal rescuers from Gut Aiderbichl arrive in Vienna, they are eyed suspiciously by the cats. Apart from their owner, they had never seen other people, so they were very shy and frightened. Cuddled up close together, they hid behind cupboards or under the bed. Only with a great deal of patience and empathy did the animal rescuers manage to lure the fearful cats out of their hiding places.
Some of the cats are very skinny and in need of help. In addition, the animals are infected with giardia and require medical treatment.
Gut Aiderbichl had the support of the “Haus der Katzenfreunde” association to provide veterinary care for the cats in Vienna. The staff from “Haus der Katzenfreunde” had already paid for and carried out the parasite prophylaxis, castration and chipping of the cats.
The animal rescuers from Gut Aiderbichl brought the cats to Gut Aiderbichl Maria Schmolln. The animals are extremely shy and severely traumatised. The initial treatment and examination was therefore very difficult. It is therefore not yet possible to assess whether there are any other illnesses. The experts are now working particularly sensitively to examine the animals, treat any wounds and catch up on any necessary vaccinations.
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