February 25, 2026, 11:38 am | Read time: 3 minutes
She jumped on trains, stopped by the hairdresser, and even appeared in the supermarket—now cat Shila seems to be facing her biggest adventure yet. The black-and-white runaway from Lower Saxony is set to get a new home, likely several hundred kilometers away in the far north.
Decision Made for New Home
Shila, the train-riding cat from the Oldenburg animal shelter, is expected to move to Sweden. This was confirmed by animal caretaker Gina Wirtz upon request from the dpa. “We have reviewed all applications,” she reported. The final decision was then made together with the former owner.
It was important that Shila’s new environment is as safe as possible—not directly next to a train station or a busy highway. At the same time, it should be lively enough to keep the adventurous cat entertained.
Move Planned for March
Before leaving for Sweden, Shila was vaccinated against rabies. Now, they must wait for the vaccine to take full effect, Wirtz explained. “We don’t know exactly when she will be picked up.” Additionally, veterinary examinations are still pending.
As it stands, a move in March is likely. Meanwhile, Shila is showing no issues and is well integrated at the shelter. “She’s doing well,” said Wirtz. “She eats well and gets along with the other shelter cats she shares a room with.”
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Shila’s Spectacular Train Ride Made Headlines
Shila became known nationwide after she traveled by train from Berne in the Wesermarsch district to Bremen—without a ticket. There, she was temporarily taken in by the federal police and later cared for by the Bremen Cat Aid.
Her then-owner did pick her up but decided shortly afterward to leave the animal at the Oldenburg shelter—a difficult decision, as animal caretaker Benjamin Heyer described. The repeated outings and the associated risks and worries were decisive factors.
According to the former owner, Shila’s explorations weren’t limited to train rides: The cat also showed up at the hairdresser’s and in the supermarket.
Flood of Applications from Across Germany—and from Sweden
After media reports about the unusually travel-loving cat, numerous interested parties came forward. The shelter specifically sought a home with plenty of variety but with as little danger as possible in the surroundings.
“The phone doesn’t stop ringing,” animal caretaker Benjamin Heyer told the dpa. “Emails are also coming in nonstop.” Given the number of inquiries, the shelter eventually stopped accepting further applications. According to Wirtz, expressions of interest came from many regions of Germany—and also from Sweden.
After the selection decision and ongoing preparations, it is now clear: Once all formalities are completed, Shila’s next adventure is likely to begin in March—this time with a planned destination and a ticket there.