Problems with stray cats are usually more familiar from southern countries – but now the wild furry friends in Vienna seem to have multiplied so diligently that the federal capital feels compelled to act. As part of a large-scale castration project, Vienna wants to get the number of wild cats under control again: 3,000 animals have already been caught and castrated. If you don’t do that, the population could spiral out of control, a city spokesman said.
But how many stray cats live in Vienna? This question cannot actually be answered precisely, the situation has become so confusing in the meantime. According to a calculation by animal rights activists, a pair of cats could be responsible for 12,000 offspring within five years. A control over the population would probably no longer be possible at some point – that’s why they want to take precautions with the “Vienna Cat Hunt”.
Castration is also strongly recommended for house cats, because the population of our house cats is now too large – “Castration is therefore active animal welfare,” said a spokesman for animal welfare. If no more cats are neutered, even fewer young animals will find new owners. The fatal effects can be seen in animal shelters, where sometimes hundreds of cats are housed and cannot find a new home.
Stray cats should not be taken in as pets under any circumstances, since wild cats are used to being in the wild, they feel confined in the house and react in panic. Sightings can be reported to the animal ombudsman in Vienna.
