Vienna shelters defend adoption checks as animal numbers rise

Vienna’s animal shelters are caring for high numbers of animals as some prospective adopters criticise their screening criteria and say they face long waits for replies. The shelters explained their placement procedures to ORF and said the time involved depends on each animal.

The TierQuarTier animal shelter currently houses 210 cats, its highest number for an autumn. Its dog capacity is less strained, while Tierschutz Austria says it is nearing capacity for dogs. Both organisations continue to place animals: TierQuarTier says it rehomes about 1,000 cats a year, while Tierschutz Austria places around 450 dogs and 600 cats.

Some people responding to an earlier ORF report said adoption requirements were too strict. Others told ORF they had waited a long time for replies from Tierschutz Austria or had received none. The shelters said high occupancy reflects a steady intake of animals, including stray cats that are not claimed. Tierschutz Austria places at least one dog each day, with the next animal on its waiting list for non-urgent cases taking the available space. At TierQuarTier, fewer than one in four cats brought in as strays are reclaimed, which the shelter attributed to missing microchips and the high cost of treatment for sick animals.

Neither shelter uses a fixed checklist of requirements, they said. Cats need secured balconies, and TierQuarTier places kittens either in pairs or with households that already have a cat. Other decisions depend on the individual animal. Tierschutz Austria director Stephan Scheidl said each animal has its own circumstances.

A garden can help an anxious dog settle in, Scheidl said. There is no age limit for adopters, but the animal’s needs must be considered; a young husky, for example, may not be suitable for someone over 70. TierQuarTier also varies its requirements for cats: some are placed only in homes where they can go outdoors, while others must be kept indoors.

The process generally begins with a questionnaire and an initial discussion, followed by a meeting with suitable animals based on the applicant’s preferences and circumstances. Puppies and animals considered straightforward to place may go to their new homes soon after meeting their prospective adopters. Fearful or aggressive animals, and dogs with a history of biting, can take several weeks to place. In particularly difficult cases, applicants may also need to attend sessions with a trainer.

Both shelters urge prospective adopters to consider the responsibilities and practicalities of caring for an animal, including who will look after it if they become ill and how it will be managed during a 12-hour workday. They also advise people to plan for costs, which can rise when an animal becomes ill or grows older. TierQuarTier staff member Anna Hofstätter said some injured cats are not collected from clinics, underscoring the need to consider veterinary costs in advance.

Both shelters also receive many applications for the same kinds of animals: young, fluffy, light-coloured females with no complicated history. Individual young animals can attract dozens of applications, while older, sick or anxious animals draw fewer. Hofstätter said some applicants are turned down because there are too many people seeking the same animal. Scheidl said expectations such as being able to stay alone or travel by car from the outset can also make it harder to find a suitable match.