Nuremberg animal shelter mourns the loss of dog grandma Laika and Kangal Alfi

Nuremberg animal shelter mourns the loss of dog grandma Laika and Kangal Alfi

The Nuremberg animal shelter is currently in deep mourning. Two beloved four-legged friends who touched the hearts of many people now had to go. The 18-year-old Laika and the male Kangal Alfi died on June 12, 2025. While Laika was looking for a new home, Alfi was the shelter's longest resident and spent almost his entire life there.

Laika, who was brought to the veterinary clinic a week ago due to health problems, was an example of the fate of many animals that had to be rescued from catastrophic conditions. Her health deteriorated rapidly, so the shelter announced on June 12 that she had to be euthanized. The animal shelter said goodbye with the touching words: “Rest in peace little dog grandma” ( In Franconia ).

Alfi's eventful life

Alfi experienced an equally sad turn of events. He was tied to a garden for a long time before he was taken to the animal shelter, where he ended up living for almost six years. After an operation for a broken elbow, Alfi was able to go back to the animal shelter, but his condition was too bad. The animal shelter also confirmed that he had to be euthanized on the same day ( Mercury ).

The loss of Laika and Alfi not only affected the staff and volunteers at the shelter, but also many supporters who were deeply moved by the Facebook post about the two dogs. In less than 15 hours, nearly 200 people left their condolences and memories of the two animals, showing how much they were valued.

A look at the challenges facing animal shelters

The farewell to Laika and Alfi is also an expression of how important it is to take animal welfare and adoption seriously. There are currently around 32 million pets living in Germany, including 8.6 million dogs and 13.4 million cats. Unfortunately, many animal shelters struggle with overcrowding, which is usually due to unwanted pets, lack of education and uncontrolled breeding ( TERRA MATER ).

The reality is that ¾ of the animals in animal shelters can be rehomed or released into the wild. Unfortunately, a quarter of the animals remain in the facilities permanently and require ongoing care and support. Animal protection laws in Germany are strict, as abandoning animals is a punishable offense and can result in high fines of up to 25,000 euros.

Mourning the loss of Laika and Alfi reminds us how important it is to focus on animal welfare and to be attentive to the needs of animals. The Nuremberg animal shelter is still looking for a home for many other animals, including the cat Diva and the dog Bozo, who has lived there since July 2024. Maybe in the future one or two readers will find the courage and heart to give one of these animals a new life.