Viennese animal tragedy

Pregnant and sick: cats dumped like garbage

The contents of this box stunned the staff at TierQuarTier Vienna.(Bild: TierQuarTier Wien)

Within the space of a few days, several shocking discoveries have been made in Vienna. Cats have been heartlessly abandoned to their fate in a cardboard box and a bag - one heavily pregnant, the other seriously ill. "This is the sad reality of how animals are unfortunately often treated", says Thomas Benda, Operations Manager of TierQuarTier.  

It is a phenomenon that unfortunately happens again and again. Animals are abandoned on the street by their owners and helplessly left to their fate. Not infrequently because they have fallen ill. For fear of high veterinary costs, the owners often get rid of them - even if this means their death.

Chronology of horror
The six-year-old cat "Elfie" (she was given her name at TierQuarTier Vienna) was found a few days ago at Vienna Central Station in a box wrapped in a bin liner, tape and cardboard. Her state of health was alarming: a severe mouth infection, presumably caused by a virus, was causing her unimaginable pain. Without veterinary care, the animal would have starved to death.

"Elfie" would have died miserably in the box. Thanks to the rapid care she received at TierQuarTier, she is on the road to recovery.(Bild: TierQuarTier Wien)

Medication could only be administered to "Elfie" by injection because oral administration was impossible due to the inflammation. Her coat was also very dirty and had dandruff - signs of neglectful husbandry.

Less than 24 hours later, another tragic find in Vienna's Leopoldstadt district: a one-year-old brown tabby long-haired cat was found in an open bag of food on a bridge. A veterinary examination revealed that she was heavily pregnant and would soon give birth to three kittens.

Confident and hopeful: you can't tell from her big green cat eyes that the pregnant "Layla" had already been through some bad things.(Bild: TierQuarTier Wien)

Thanks to the prompt care provided by the veterinary team at TierQuarTier Vienna, the "expectant cat mom" survived. Her carers have given her the name "Layla" and have already found her an experienced foster home where she can give birth to her babies in peace.

No trivial offense
Abandoning animals is strictly prohibited in Austria and is punishable by fines of up to 7500 euros. This penalty also applies to those who simply abandoned "Elfie" and "Layla" to their fate.

Your help is needed

Have you seen or heard anything or do you recognize one of the animals found?

Please contact the lost property service for pets on 01/4000 80 60 with any useful information (including anonymous information) about the owner.

"Elfie" and "Layla" are now recovering in loving care and are hoping for responsible people who will give them a home as soon as they are fit enough to move out.

TierQuarTier Vienna is dependent on support for the care and maintenance of numerous animals. With a donation, thousands of animals in need, such as "Elfi" and "Layla", are given the chance to survive.