Vienna animal shelter takes in record number of cats

More than 210 cats are currently at TierQuarTier Wien, a Vienna animal shelter, the highest number for an autumn since it opened, ORF reported. Of 926 cats brought there this year after being found or abandoned, only 226 were collected by their owners.

The shelter has taken in more than 1,200 cats this year, including animals seized by authorities. Many arrived injured, for example after falling from balconies or being hit by cars. Some needed surgery and weeks of care.

The shelter’s veterinary team provides basic medical treatment, but cats with broken bones or needing surgery must be taken to external clinics. Those treatments have cost about 100,000 euros this year. Operations manager Thomas Benda said the shelter suspects some owners stop looking for their pets when faced with high medical bills.

Without a microchip or registered contact details, it can be difficult to find an owner. The shelter urges people to have their cats microchipped and registered, and advises anyone whose cat is missing to contact animal shelters. Cats that are not collected are put up for adoption; older or sick animals often wait longer because many prospective adopters want younger cats.