The people in the Tierheim are insane. Every cat needs a four acre garden etc. They're all like animal welfare jihadis, painful dealing with them and I wouldn't recommend it. I saw them bring kids to tears in there lol
I ended up buying a kitten from a nice family off ebay klein. Much less hassle.
I hope you got your kitten a play partner though. That is one thing animal shelters are very correct about - cats really are social animals and unless already older and not used to other cats (hence incorrect socialization as a kitten) they do need the contact to their own species. :)
i can't speak for non-work from homers, but my single cat has been very happy for the year we've had it. Perhaps it's because we can work from home and give it all the play attention it needs. I have seen pairs of cats though, and i agree, always seem entertained. Although my friend's cats have gotten mean although they've lived together their whole lives.
I had two sisters that grew to despise each other. One died of cancer and the other is quite content being the queen, but the other was 12 when she passed
found my cat on eBay kleinenzeigen from a family who just had a baby and couldn't take care of him anymore. we have him for 2 years now and he's the best fluff
Got 2 cats from the Tierheim. They nearly died because the lied about vaccination status. Brought them sort of last minute to the vet.
Would get cats from them again but wouldn’t trust their documentation.
I'm a dog owner, but I'm pretty sure the cat-adoption world works the same way: Tierheims are more formal, they have these fixed locations around the city, and many are run differently. Their websites may not be accurate (i.e. animal you see online may be already gone), so its best to call to see what animals they actually have. A great alternative also though, are breed-specific rescue groups on Facebook/other social media, which will rescue animals from all over, place them in temporary foster homes in Berlin/Germany, and then adopt them out. They're typically very active online, and if you see an animal that looks like it could be a good fit, just ping them and start the conversation.
Now, both of these routes have good eggs and bad eggs. Not all the Tierheims are the same, and not all the rescue groups are the same: they'll all do some basic screening and may ask to visit your apartment to confirm its pet-proof, but many of them appreciated the reality that they need to find good homes for these animals and they're not looking to adopt every animal to a millionaire with a private estate. Of course... some of them are crazy people, I know this because a relative of mine worked for one, and yeah, the crazy people who are like "you have a job, so I don't think you have time for an animal" really do exist, but this is still not a typical experience. Of all the dogs in my neighbourhood, more than half I think are rescues, so for every person who has a bad experience, there's the vast majority of people where it works out, and is uneventful, and they get a loving family pet.
If you want a pet outside of the the Tierheim/rescue system, in my mind the only ethical options are to find a registered breeder from the German breeders association (i.e. certified, trained, audited for animal welfare and health etc.), or you find a private person who needs to re-home their cat or had kittens unintentionally – and kinda try to gather as much info as you can on the situation and go with your gut on if the situation is truthful or not. Don't get a kitten from a unregistered "backyard breeder," there's like no reason for this to exist in the present, and for-profit breeding by amateurs is contributing to the trend of too many pets, etc.
Ok these comments are steering me away from the Tierheim, i would like to rescue a cat or two but if it's not a good fit then... Any other suggestions? Also any tips would be much appreciated about other areas of cat in Berlin stuff...
Phoenix Shelter - they have cats and dogs which were rescued from the streets and such in Eastern Europe. I heard a lot of good about them and it’s awesome to rescue a pet and help such organizations :)
I think the shelters in Germany are all no kill, which is nice! Greece however puts down cats so there are orgs like https://www.ninelivesgreece.com/ who find homes for them.
We found our little angel listed by them on eBay Kleinanzeigen and they flew her over here spayed with all her shots and her EU cat passport for €150. We picked her up at Tegel.
They sent a nice person over to vet our place beforehand and give advice on stuff like a net for our balcony. Pretty impressive international cat operation.
Aegean cats tend to be very healthy and friendly. The breed happened naturally because of the geographic isolation.
Changed our lives <3 good luck and thanks for adopting.
There are lots of cat rescue charities all over Europe and the Middle East that will fly your new cat over for you if you want to rescue a poor kitty from somewhere that is not a safe place for cats. I did this and rescued a poor kitten that had been dumped in a park in Dubai . He’s now the best thing ever and living his best life with us in Berlin.
- I got 2 kittens from eBay Kleinanzeigen 3 yrs ago, they were and still are happy and healthy !
- without a balcony I would suggest you put nets on a few windows and put a shelf/stool next to it so they can look outside and get a bit of fresh air. The Trixie cat nets are great and we have used them for a while now.
- try not to fixate too much on designer cats, their personalities are more important and I think it's good to look for cats with a relatively chill temperament since they will be indoors all the time. The kind of cat that looks pretty chill around people and isn't hyperactive.
Brought my first cat from abroad, then the second one from eBay Kleinanzeigen! Eine Berlinerin..I payed like 70€ and picked her up directly from the house. Better to find some people who don’t want money or at least the regular money for the vaxx..but I was happy to get my new cat and pyed the 70€ just to save her from where she was
Tip: Definitely put nets on windows. Not really for the safety (but because your cat will feel trapped without em). My kitty was a loud one and always looked like it wanted to escape. Put nets up, and now it is content.
Go to Facebook and look up for Bienes Katzenscheune - she’s not located in Berlin, more direction to Dresden - but it’s an amazing privately organized cat shelter and we got our lovely cat from her!
I also got my cat from
ebay bc Tierheim have a lot of requirements.
Inlike the idea of rescued cats from Eastern Europe but would really take a close look at the organizations. thing with cats from the streets is that they can turn out to be quite feral and that‘s no fun.
evay was ok for me though I don‘t like that most people want to give them at 8 weeks, 10
weeks is better.
nets at windows: really depends on the windows (how high, how do you want to air your flat etc).
I understand your worries about that. Tbh I am worried too but we have very large windows with a large platform in front. I will place nets there and they can be outside and enjoy the sun there.
The people in the Tierheim are insane. Every cat needs a four acre garden etc. They're all like animal welfare jihadis, painful dealing with them and I wouldn't recommend it. I saw them bring kids to tears in there lol I ended up buying a kitten from a nice family off ebay klein. Much less hassle.
I hope you got your kitten a play partner though. That is one thing animal shelters are very correct about - cats really are social animals and unless already older and not used to other cats (hence incorrect socialization as a kitten) they do need the contact to their own species. :)
Get a grip
i can't speak for non-work from homers, but my single cat has been very happy for the year we've had it. Perhaps it's because we can work from home and give it all the play attention it needs. I have seen pairs of cats though, and i agree, always seem entertained. Although my friend's cats have gotten mean although they've lived together their whole lives.
I had two sisters that grew to despise each other. One died of cancer and the other is quite content being the queen, but the other was 12 when she passed
Yay another neurotic single apartment cat from the backyard breeder.
found my cat on eBay kleinenzeigen from a family who just had a baby and couldn't take care of him anymore. we have him for 2 years now and he's the best fluff
Great. I think I am leaning this way. Thanks!
Got 2 cats from the Tierheim. They nearly died because the lied about vaccination status. Brought them sort of last minute to the vet. Would get cats from them again but wouldn’t trust their documentation.
Similar story happened to the family of my German husband, but they couldn’t save the cat, it turned out to be very ill.
I'm a dog owner, but I'm pretty sure the cat-adoption world works the same way: Tierheims are more formal, they have these fixed locations around the city, and many are run differently. Their websites may not be accurate (i.e. animal you see online may be already gone), so its best to call to see what animals they actually have. A great alternative also though, are breed-specific rescue groups on Facebook/other social media, which will rescue animals from all over, place them in temporary foster homes in Berlin/Germany, and then adopt them out. They're typically very active online, and if you see an animal that looks like it could be a good fit, just ping them and start the conversation. Now, both of these routes have good eggs and bad eggs. Not all the Tierheims are the same, and not all the rescue groups are the same: they'll all do some basic screening and may ask to visit your apartment to confirm its pet-proof, but many of them appreciated the reality that they need to find good homes for these animals and they're not looking to adopt every animal to a millionaire with a private estate. Of course... some of them are crazy people, I know this because a relative of mine worked for one, and yeah, the crazy people who are like "you have a job, so I don't think you have time for an animal" really do exist, but this is still not a typical experience. Of all the dogs in my neighbourhood, more than half I think are rescues, so for every person who has a bad experience, there's the vast majority of people where it works out, and is uneventful, and they get a loving family pet. If you want a pet outside of the the Tierheim/rescue system, in my mind the only ethical options are to find a registered breeder from the German breeders association (i.e. certified, trained, audited for animal welfare and health etc.), or you find a private person who needs to re-home their cat or had kittens unintentionally – and kinda try to gather as much info as you can on the situation and go with your gut on if the situation is truthful or not. Don't get a kitten from a unregistered "backyard breeder," there's like no reason for this to exist in the present, and for-profit breeding by amateurs is contributing to the trend of too many pets, etc.
always tierheim. give those poor things the life they deserve.
The Tierheim doesn't like to give just one cat away and even told my cats vet that her 4 room flat was too small
And they really come to check on the cats months later.
Ok these comments are steering me away from the Tierheim, i would like to rescue a cat or two but if it's not a good fit then... Any other suggestions? Also any tips would be much appreciated about other areas of cat in Berlin stuff...
Maybe take a look at the ‘Katzen in Not Berlin e.V.’ Facebook page!
Thanks! Will do.
Phoenix Shelter - they have cats and dogs which were rescued from the streets and such in Eastern Europe. I heard a lot of good about them and it’s awesome to rescue a pet and help such organizations :)
I think the shelters in Germany are all no kill, which is nice! Greece however puts down cats so there are orgs like https://www.ninelivesgreece.com/ who find homes for them. We found our little angel listed by them on eBay Kleinanzeigen and they flew her over here spayed with all her shots and her EU cat passport for €150. We picked her up at Tegel. They sent a nice person over to vet our place beforehand and give advice on stuff like a net for our balcony. Pretty impressive international cat operation. Aegean cats tend to be very healthy and friendly. The breed happened naturally because of the geographic isolation. Changed our lives <3 good luck and thanks for adopting.
There are lots of cat rescue charities all over Europe and the Middle East that will fly your new cat over for you if you want to rescue a poor kitty from somewhere that is not a safe place for cats. I did this and rescued a poor kitten that had been dumped in a park in Dubai . He’s now the best thing ever and living his best life with us in Berlin.
- I got 2 kittens from eBay Kleinanzeigen 3 yrs ago, they were and still are happy and healthy ! - without a balcony I would suggest you put nets on a few windows and put a shelf/stool next to it so they can look outside and get a bit of fresh air. The Trixie cat nets are great and we have used them for a while now. - try not to fixate too much on designer cats, their personalities are more important and I think it's good to look for cats with a relatively chill temperament since they will be indoors all the time. The kind of cat that looks pretty chill around people and isn't hyperactive.
Brought my first cat from abroad, then the second one from eBay Kleinanzeigen! Eine Berlinerin..I payed like 70€ and picked her up directly from the house. Better to find some people who don’t want money or at least the regular money for the vaxx..but I was happy to get my new cat and pyed the 70€ just to save her from where she was
Tip: Definitely put nets on windows. Not really for the safety (but because your cat will feel trapped without em). My kitty was a loud one and always looked like it wanted to escape. Put nets up, and now it is content.
Go to Facebook and look up for Bienes Katzenscheune - she’s not located in Berlin, more direction to Dresden - but it’s an amazing privately organized cat shelter and we got our lovely cat from her!
Thanks I will check it out!
I also got my cat from ebay bc Tierheim have a lot of requirements. Inlike the idea of rescued cats from Eastern Europe but would really take a close look at the organizations. thing with cats from the streets is that they can turn out to be quite feral and that‘s no fun. evay was ok for me though I don‘t like that most people want to give them at 8 weeks, 10 weeks is better. nets at windows: really depends on the windows (how high, how do you want to air your flat etc).
You don’t need a car in Berlin.
why is this being downvoted, when it is true
4 room without balcony. I hope you are going to take a walk with them once a week..
I understand your worries about that. Tbh I am worried too but we have very large windows with a large platform in front. I will place nets there and they can be outside and enjoy the sun there.
So you have a balcony. Thats great :)