Animal suffering in Offenbach: Record number of 14 cases due to loneliness!

Animal suffering in Offenbach: Record number of 14 cases due to loneliness!

Concern for animals in need is growing: the number of cases of animal suffering has risen sharply since the Corona years. In Offenbach, the veterinary office recorded a total of 14 such cases in 2025 - the highest number since records began op online reported. Monika Grimm, the head of the veterinary office, explains that social conditions in the region have worsened. A decade ago there were only three to four similar cases per year. The trend is alarming and makes it clear that there is a need for action.

The offices are overloaded and many of those affected refuse help. Worst of all, animals cannot be easily removed as long as they are adequately cared for, even if living conditions are poor. Often these pets are the only companions for lonely people, which makes the situation even more complicated.

Animal protection and animal hoarding

Animal hoarding, the pathological collecting of animals without proper care, is becoming increasingly common. In 2023, over 6,700 animals were rescued from such cases in Germany. The German Animal Welfare Association confirms that 147 cases of animal hoarding have been reported, with a total of 8,911 animals affected. This represents an increase of over 2,000 animals compared to the previous year. Most of these cases come from North Rhine-Westphalia, where the situation is particularly tense.

In the context of animal hoarding, the condition of the animals is often catastrophic: they live in their own excrement, are malnourished and sick. A well-known example from recent rescue operations shows 27 dogs that were rescued from a dirty environment. Many of these animals were in such poor condition that they had to be treated and cared for. The dogs sometimes even had to be sedated in order to be transported, according to reports from Burg MDR has documented.

The cry for help from the neighborhood

Particularly striking are the reports of animal suffering, which are often reported by neighbors. In many cases, those affected are unable to recognize the problem themselves. Monika Grimm emphasizes that these grievances should often be interpreted as a cry for help from those affected. In addition, social services and neighbors play a crucial role in the early warning system in order to intervene in a timely manner.

The alarming situation requires not only human compassion, but also profound structural changes. The German Animal Welfare Association is calling for better financing for animal shelters that are unable to accommodate confiscated animals. In addition, a pet protection regulation and a central register for suspicious animal owners are required. It is time for us as a society to work more closely together to help both animals and people in this difficult situation.