The animals were crowded into a cramped space with an insufficient number of litter boxes. In total, animal rights activists rescued 44 individuals in the Milbertshofen district.
In January, following a tip-off, representatives from the animal welfare society discovered the cats in a 95-square-meter apartment within a residential complex in Milbertshofen. The cats lived with a family, but nearly all were confined to the living room. Shelter officials deemed these conditions unacceptably cramped.
When inspectors from the Munich Animal Welfare Society entered the premises, a strong odor of urine from unneutered male cats became evident. Shelter manager Kristina Berchtold noted: “At that time, there were 28 European Shorthair mixed-breed cats living there, including adults, juveniles, and kittens, almost entirely concentrated in the living room.”
Due to the alarming situation, the inspector immediately summoned the Munich Veterinary Service. During the examination, it was revealed that four small kittens were gravely ill. “They could hardly walk, were toppling over, and showed clear signs of distress,” Berchtold clarified. She added: “Despite intensive efforts, they later had to be euthanized due to the severity of their symptoms.”
Escalation and Police Intervention
The Veterinary Service ordered a reduction in the number of cats and mandated compulsory sterilization. Initially, the family agreed to these terms; however, according to the shelter, the situation soon escalated again. Berchtold explained: “On January 29, 2026, during a police search of the premises for an unrelated matter, the situation worsened: instead of a decrease in animals, 44 cats were found in the apartment, including newborn kittens and two pregnant females.”
Three-quarters of the animals were less than one year old. “Once again, several young individuals showed neurological impairments, raising suspicions of inbreeding, as many cats possessed strikingly similar features,” the shelter manager emphasized. One animal was in such poor condition that it was immediately transported to a veterinary clinic.
At the Munich shelter, the cats have finally found peace, medical support, and proper care. In the meantime, nine more kittens have been born there; unfortunately, two died, one remains in critical condition, and another fetus could not be delivered naturally. As soon as the remaining 50 pets—including 14 kittens—are strong enough and the adults have been neutered, they will be made available for adoption into responsible new homes.
Source: tz.de
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