Fido and Fluffy may go by the names Struppi and Mietzi here, but in every country man’s best friends often have fur. Munich is blessed with the long-established Tierschutzverein München e.V., which is an animal shelter and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals rolled into one. Waiting to be adopted here are dozens of cats, dogs, rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, birds and gerbils, as well as a small zoo of other fauna. But before you let those big brown eyes whittle their way into your heart, be realistic about your needs and theirs. You should also be aware of a few basic facts of pet ownership in Germany.
The Tierschutzverein München was established in 1842 by Ignaz Perner. The Ignaz-Perner-Tierheim in Riem is not only very well organized but also pleasant looking and even smelling! More than 7,000 animals pass through the center each year, which is incredible considering that the staff consists of only 30 caretakers. The center’s annual budget of € 3.5 million comes primarily from fund-raising and donations.
Once you’ve decided you would like a pet, be prepared to provide the Tierheim with the following:
A realistic account of your family, including the ages and any special needs of your children, as well as the number of hours you will be at home per day to care for the pet. This information helps the staff match you with the right animal.
A letter of approval from your landlord if you live in rented accommodations. This is especially important if the animal will be using outdoor areas.
About € 120 to 160 to adopt an adult dog, € 60 to 70 for a cat and slightly more for puppies or kittens. Prices vary for rabbits, guinea pigs, gerbils, etc., down to about € 5 to 10 for rats.
The Tierheim provides veterinary services exclusively to the animals in its care and follow-up treatment for animals only up to four weeks after they are adopted. The Tierschutzverein does not automatically spay and neuter animals in its care, so be certain to discuss this with caregivers at the animal home.
If a furry friend poses allergy problems for you, turtles, snakes, lizards, fish, among other animals, may be adopted at the Munich Reptilienauffangstation (Kaulbachstr. 37, Tel. 218 022 83).
The Tierschutzverein also takes in animals that have been brought in by the police and permanently houses animals, including a few primates, for which new homes cannot be found. The group also works with local farmers to place farm animals that occasionally come in.
With a dearth of staff and several hundred animals, the home would welcome a few extra pairs of (gloved) hands, says Andrea Bachmann, a caretaker of dogs at the Tierheim. But it is important to be realistic: a large scoop of the job is about poo. Petting and playing with the fuzzies may be part of the volunteer position, but if you’re not prepared to tackle cleanup, then the job is not for you. “Ideally, we would like to have volunteers experienced in working with animals who are willing to make a long-term commitment—say three mornings a week,” she says.
This year’s annual Open Door day at the home (though guests are always welcome during visiting hours) is October 7, from 10 am to 5 pm. Bachmann reminds visitors that the animals are often under stress and therefore “may not be at their best because they are afraid of people or aren’t used to being around other animals.” Although she welcomes visitors and potential pet parents, she says they should by no means feel obliged to walk out with an adopted animal.
As a nonprofit organization, the Tier-schutzverein München e.V. (Riemer Str. 270) needs continued community support. The center offers several creative ways to donate. Visit www.tierheim-muenchen.com for donation and adoption details, as well as a list of emergency numbers (look under “Im Notfall”).
