Open House at Berlin Animal Shelter Features Dog Shows and Guided Tours

The Berlin Animal Shelter is inviting the public to its Open House event this Sunday, where animal lovers can meet dogs like Scott, Urmeli, and Pablo, who are in search of new homes. The event will take place from 11 AM to 5 PM and will offer a variety of activities, including guided tours, dog shows, and entertainment specifically designed for children.

Since the beginning of the year, the shelter has taken in 1,462 animals. While some animals have found homes within a few months, others have been waiting for years. Currently, the shelter is home to 226 dogs and 368 cats, making a total of 1,170 animals as of May 22. The majority of dogs are surrendered due to issues such as aggression, owner overwhelm, or biting incidents, while cats are often given up due to cleanliness issues or allergies. Many small animals and birds are also relinquished because their former owners lost interest or failed to provide adequate care.

During the Open House, visitors will have the opportunity to take guided tours of the facility, watch dog shows, and enjoy a range of entertainment options. However, the shelter will not be holding any adoption consultations or animal placements during the event. In the past month alone, 22 dogs have been successfully adopted, including one that had spent seven years in the shelter. Additionally, 93 cats, 22 reptiles, and 22 rabbits and other small mammals have found new homes.

Among the birds, 14 have been adopted recently, with the average wait time for birds being about three months. However, certain species, such as parrots, can wait significantly longer for adoption--some have been at the shelter for two to three years. For instance, grey parrots Lucy and Coco have been residents of the shelter since 2020, while other birds, like the Japanese quail Scott and the fancy pigeon Chilli-Cheese, have also been waiting for quite some time.

This Open House not only serves as an opportunity for potential adopters to meet animals in need of homes but also raises awareness about the ongoing challenges faced by animal shelters. Visitors are encouraged to learn about responsible pet ownership and the importance of adopting rather than purchasing pets.