Saarbrücken animal shelter stops taking in animals: What now for found animals?

Saarbrücken animal shelter stops taking in animals: What now for found animals?

A sad day for the Bertha Bruch animal shelter in Saarbrücken: From January 1, 2026, it will no longer accept found animals or confiscated animals. The institution announced this on December 30, 2025, after the existing animal care contract with the cities and municipalities expired. The reason? Negotiations for a new contract were unsuccessful. Responsibility for found animals now falls on the municipalities, which are legally obliged to provide accommodation and suitable experts.

What does this mean for the animals and the people who work for them? The current situation is extremely tense. The old contract ran for five years and the municipalities only paid 0.40 euros per resident. For comparison: Animal shelters in other communities, such as Homburg and Niederlinxweiler, receive 1.40 euros or even more per resident. The Saarbrücken animal shelter can no longer cope with these financial differences, which led to the decision to stop accepting them. [Saarbrücker Zeitung] explains that in recent years the animal shelter has taken in an average of 500 animals per year, around half of which were found animals.

Financial challenges and staff shortages

The situation is even more precarious when the rising costs are taken into account. Minimum wage, veterinary costs, food prices and energy costs place a heavy burden on the animal shelter. In addition, donation income is declining, which further worsens the financial situation. Employees often work at the minimum wage limit and there is a lack of financial resources to increase staff. The animal shelter director emphasizes the important role of volunteers in maintaining the work. An open appeal highlights the need for a new, portable pet care contract [Saarbrücken animal shelter].

According to the German Animal Welfare Association, the situation in many German animal shelters is similarly worrying. President Thomas Schröder speaks of a dramatic decline in financial resources in the hundreds of millions. There is no real help from politicians, and municipalities often shirk their responsibilities. The need for long-term federal support is clear – especially when it comes to essential infrastructure, which is needed now more than ever [Time].

A call for shared responsibility

What are the next steps for the Saarbrücken animal shelter and animal lovers in the region? It is important that citizens become aware of the challenges and support the institutions, be it through financial donations, donations in kind or volunteer help. The issues of animal protection and the care of found animals must not be pushed into the background - they need our full attention and support.

Times like these show how important it is that we all share responsibility. This not only makes the animals happy, but also strengthens the community in Saarbrücken. Let's ensure that a species-appropriate home is possible for every protégé!