November 13, 2026, 3:53 pm | Read time: 4 minutes

49 Cats Rescued from Neglected House

The operation was triggered by tips from the public that were reported to the Bietigheim-Bissingen regulatory office, which then informed the veterinary office. “The owner was not previously known to us,” Dr. Andreas Fritz from the press office of the Ludwigsburg district office told PETBOOK upon inquiry.

During the hours-long rescue operation, 27 cats were initially removed from the multi-story residential building. According to the veterinary office, the conditions on-site were poor: “The cats were kept in unhygienic conditions; several cats lacked necessary veterinary care.” Most of the animals were also unneutered.

The office does not know over what period the number of cats living there increased so significantly. However, the operation was not yet complete. The owner subsequently brought more cats to the Ludwigsburg animal shelter. “She voluntarily surrendered all the cats,” Dr. Fritz explained to PETBOOK. In total, 49 animals were eventually gathered.

Also of interest: Animal Hoarding – More than 2,000 Rats in an Apartment

Cats Had to Walk Through Their Own Excrement

Ursula Gericke, head of the Ludwigsburg animal shelter, described the dire conditions in the house to the Ludwigsburger Kreiszeitung. “It was a complete disaster,” she said about the rescue operation. The three floors were filled with trash, dirt, and feces. According to Gericke, the animals had to walk through their own excrement, which was up to 30 centimeters high.¹

Several cats were sick, had dirty fur or matted eyes, and some suffered from cat flu. At least four animals had health issues. A veterinarian worked to neuter and vaccinate the healthy cats as quickly as possible. The intake of a total of 49 cats is pushing the animal shelter to its limits. “It’s hell for all of us. This is overwhelming. We can’t manage without outside help,” Gericke told the Ludwigsburger Kreiszeitung. The facility is now receiving support from other animal welfare organizations in the district and beyond, which have already taken in some of the animals.

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More and More Animals Affected by Animal Hoarding

The case from Bietigheim-Bissingen shows how quickly animal keeping can get out of control. The term “animal hoarding” refers to the excessive collection and keeping of animals, where the owners can no longer adequately care for them. The extent of the problem in Germany is highlighted by figures from the German Animal Welfare Association.²

In 2025, 150 animal hoarding cases with a total of 13,275 affected animals were documented nationwide, reaching a new high. Compared to the previous year, the number of cases remained relatively stable at 147, but the number of animals increased by nearly 50 percent.

“We have observed a continuous increase in the number of known animal hoarding cases and particularly the number of affected animals for several years. This trend has recently intensified significantly, and we also assume there is a considerable number of unreported cases,” explained Kerstin van Kan, press officer of the German Animal Welfare Association, in response to a PETBOOK inquiry. Cats are particularly often affected. Last year, according to the Animal Welfare Association, there were 1,952 animals.

After the Rescue, the Challenge for Animal Shelters Begins

The consequences of such cases affect not only the animals themselves but also the animal shelters. They often have to take in, medically care for, and house numerous animals in a very short time. “For the animal shelters, this means a significant additional burden–both in terms of personnel and emotionally, as well as financially,” van Kan said.

In the case of Bietigheim-Bissingen, the veterinary office is also examining further consequences. “The veterinary office is considering whether to initiate criminal proceedings against the animal owner. Additionally, a ban on animal ownership is being considered,” Dr. Fritz told PETBOOK.