World Cat Day
On 8 August 2023
From the perspective of an Aiderbichler
(written by Gisela Pschenitschnig)
For World Cat Day on 8 August 2023 – The great luck of being a cat
Animals are free beings. They give us their love, trust, friendship and help voluntarily.
The cat has accompanied humans for thousands of years. It is a non-commercial pet, which makes the bond between humans and domestic cats so unique. In terms of character, cats are considered wilful, aloof and independent. Nevertheless, once tamed, it seeks contact with humans.Over 600 cats live at Gut Aiderbichl’s animal visitor centres. These are abandoned cats, animals whose owners have died or cats that the owners could no longer afford to keep.
Since the war in Ukraine, dozens of cats have found a loving, cared-for forever home at Gut Aiderbichl in Osnabrück.
The unloved:
Cats roaming the gardens and streets
What to do with all the stray cats in southern Europe or anywhere else in the world? The only solution to curb animal suffering and annoyed neighbours is to neuter the animal.
Since 2016, all cats with access to the outdoors must be neutered by law. Unneutered outdoor cats contribute to the increasing number of stray cats. Around 80,000 cats are born in eight years from a cat family whose female offspring are not neutered.
Gut Aiderbichl Osnabrück
and his big cat family
The veterinary office contacted Gut Aiderbichl Osnabrück. 10 cats whose owner had died were urgently looking for a new home. The cats were neglected and suffering from their living conditions.
Little Pennywas discovered on a motorway slip road next to a Penny store. His later rescuer was able to observe Penny being dropped off by a person from the car. Unfortunately, there was a lot of traffic and the driver driving away could not be stopped or identified.
Bibi is also a found cat, and was also found next to a supermarket. A lady tried to lure little Bibi with cat food and hoped that Bibi’s mum would also be able to smell the food. Unfortunately, her mum never came – Bibi had clearly been abandoned.
Ernie comes from a household in Osnabrück. Gut Aiderbichl Osnabrück was asked to rescue the cats that lived there. Over 40 unneutered cats and tomcats were living together and multiplying. The owner had underestimated the situation, and strong odours from the residents in the block of flats called in the veterinary office for help.
The adorable Donald owes his life to an animal-loving lady. She noticed that there were kittens running around right next to the fence of Gut Aiderbichl Osnabrück. A total of four kittens were immediately taken in. The next day, a member of staff heard another timid “meow” – it was Donald.
Misery, fear and uncertainty
Pets are abandoned all over the world
The abandonment of pets is not something thatonly occurs in distant countries.
Bans and penalties imposed by the Animal Welfare Act do not always work – perhaps because the human’s desperation is too great, or perhaps because you are a human who puts the cat in the box, drives off in the car, gets rid of the animal and avoids one: LOOKING THE ANIMAL IN THE EYES.
From the moment we welcomed them into our home, we have taken responsibilityfor the animal. Pets are notan accessory, but companionswho needlove, care and devotionall their lives.
A cat's eyes are windows that let us look into another world.
~ Irish proverb
Do not avoid looking an animal in the eye.
Sincerely, Your Gisela.
