February 17, 2026, 3:51 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
Other cats chase mice. Shila rides trains. The black-and-white cat from Berne is no stranger. The young cat has repeatedly appeared as a stowaway on regional trains, been collected, identified, and brought home. But after her latest trip to Bremen, it’s clear: There’s more to these curious fare-dodging adventures than just a thirst for adventure. Shila is now looking for a new home—preferably far from train tracks.
A Night in the Cell
At 7:12 p.m. on February 6, the so-called Quattro patrol was informed: A cat was running through the regional train from Nordenham. Even before the train had fully arrived, officers from the federal and state police, Bremen’s public order office, and DB Security were on the platform.
The “four-legged fare-dodger,” as described in the statement from the Federal Police Inspectorate Bremen, was easily captured. Because she was exceptionally friendly, she was quickly carried in an officer’s arms to the federal police station. There, she was given water and spent a few hours in a holding cell.
Not due to drunkenness or unruly behavior during the ride, but simply because it was the safest place until the handover to the Bremen Cat Aid could be arranged. A rather unusual stopover in the life of a young cat.
Charge: “Fare Evasion”
Legally speaking, fare-dodging would be the offense of “fare evasion.” However, in Shila’s case, the federal police turned a blind eye–and probably a few whiskers too.
Even though it apparently wasn’t her first train ride without a ticket, the officers naturally refrained from filing a report. After all, it would be difficult to prove intent to a cat—let alone persuade her to pay an increased fare. 1
Not a First Offense, but Wanderlust
In Berne, Shila is already well-known. Animal welfare advocates report that she has been on regional trains multiple times—including trips toward Nordenham, Kirchhammelwarden, and even Bremen.
Where she boards each time remains a mystery. Cats take advantage of open doors and opportune moments—a quick jump, a warm carriage, perhaps a free window seat. It’s not unusual for animals to end up in cars or trucks. Regular train rides, however, are quite rare even for experienced animal welfare workers.
Shila seems to have either a strong sense of adventure—or a remarkable fondness for public transportation.
Chipped–Therefore Quickly Identified
The fact that she could be quickly identified after her latest outing was due to a crucial detail: Shila is chipped and registered. Without this identification, her journey might have ended much more complicatedly.
Shila has since been surrendered, as the Oldenburg Animal Shelter announced via Instagram. Her previous owner is not mobile and is overwhelmed by the young, energetic cat. Shila is about 1.5 years old—curious, friendly, and apparently very independent.
She is now looking for a new home—preferably far from train tracks. Ideally, a household with a garden, so she can satisfy her need for movement in a safe environment. Because one thing is clear: As long as a train door opens somewhere, Shila’s next adventure could begin.
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New Home Should Be Secluded
What it takes to adopt the little wanderer, PETBOOK asked Benjamin Heyer from the Oldenburg Animal Shelter:
PETBOOK: What makes Shila special? Is she more adventurous or also cuddly, independent?
“Her adventurous spirit has been proven by her train rides, visits to hair salons, and supermarket trips. She is very friendly and open to people.”
Does she absolutely need classic outdoor access with a garden, or could people who travel a lot, such as for work by train, also be considered?
“We think classic outdoor access in a quiet environment would be right for her. Traveling with cats on buses and trains seems to pose significant risks for the cat.”
Would a secured balcony or even gentle harness training be conceivable?“A balcony, unfortunately, cannot replace outdoor access, especially for a ‘daredevil’ like Shila. A cat harness would certainly be worth trying, although very few cats accept it.”
“It Would Be Nice if Someone Was Always There”
Are there any other special wishes or no-gos for her future home?
“We wish for Shila a home where it never gets boring. Other animals, children, and so on are welcome. She should also get along well with a cat-friendly dog. Ideally, she would have a lot of contact with her people (so someone is always there)—a multigenerational household, for example.
And very importantly: Her new home should be secluded (no train station, etc. nearby), and also cat-friendly in terms of traffic. If you overlook her wanderlust, she is a completely normal, people-friendly cat with whom you can have a lot of joy.”
Anyone seriously interested in giving her a new home can contact the Oldenburg Animal Shelter: https://tierheim-ol.de/