During corona times, many Amsterdam residents have taken an animal into their home, but a number of these animals have now been given up to the shelter. Noor van Gennep, zookeeper at DOA, or the Amsterdam animal shelter, explains Amsterdam Informs more about this situation. With Animal Day approaching, these animals without owners are put in the spotlight.
“We mainly see a lot of cats and dogs,” says Van Gennep. “We think there are two possibilities. On the one hand, because people greatly underestimate caring for a pet and on the other hand, because something may change in the family or home situation.”
The shelter also sees an increase in the number of kittens: “People who bought a cat during corona did not have it neutered or sterilized. This ensures that many more kittens come to us,” says Van Gennep.
Dog owners in the Erasmus Park respond. “Terrible. People don’t think before they buy an animal,” says one of them. Another owner notes: “People treat animals very harshly.”
New opportunity
Despite the sad situation, the shelter also offers a new beginning for these animals: “It is sad that more and more animals end up in the shelter, but it gives the animals the opportunity to find a new home.”
“When people adopt an animal from us, we not only look at what people want, but also what people have to offer,” Van Gennep explains. “Then it comes down to three things: time, space and money.” With this, the shelter wants to prevent animals from being surrendered again.
“You give animals that have been unlucky in life a second chance at happiness. And you are carefully matched, you know exactly what you get when you adopt an animal from us,” says van Gennep.
