Düsseldorf (dpa / lnw) – More and more needy pet owners in North Rhine-Westphalia are looking for support from animal boards. “Since this summer, our demand has increased by 30 percent,” said Mareike Schimion, an employee of the Düsseldorf animal board, on Tuesday in the state capital. According to Schimion, the corona crisis, the war in Ukraine and the increased cost of living are reasons for the increase. In Düsseldorf, however, all those in need could still be cared for, which is why there is no waiting list like in other cities.
The 15-strong volunteer team at Tiertafel in Düsseldorf now supports around 230 pet owners with food and accessories for their dogs, cats or rodents every two weeks. According to Schimion, the facility relies on donations from private individuals, feed manufacturers and pet supply stores. However, these are currently no longer sufficient.
Bianca Rennwanz from Düsseldorf has been coming to Tiertafel with her dog Josy for nine months now. “I refused to come here for a long time because I was uncomfortable,” she told the dpa. After an illness, it was no longer possible for her to work full-time. The increased cost of living would have made the situation even more difficult. The board is now a great support.
On Tuesday, presenter and singer Jana Ina Zarrella (46) gave the dog owner a small Christmas present. She emphasized the relevance of animal boards – especially in the current situation: “Pets give people support,” she said. “The Tiertafel gives people the opportunity to continue living their lives the way they want – with their best friends.”
Animal boards in other cities in the country are also reporting a significant increase in people seeking help. A spokeswoman for the Münster feed aid said to the dpa: “Feed aid has been around for twelve years and we have mainly only taken care of dogs and cats.” Now there is also great demand from other pet owners who also keep guinea pigs, rabbits, fish and birds.
The demand for feed has also risen sharply at the facilities in Duisburg and Cologne. Above all, an increase in needy pensioners can be observed. “Inexpensive feed is hard to come by,” said a spokesman for Tiertafel Köln.
