New animal shelter expansion for Gasperich

The animal shelter located in Gasperich has become completely overloaded. Our four-legged friends are in constant need of kennel accommodation. That's why expansion is in progress and a new kennel area is currently being built and is due to be finished in spring 2012.

Currently, the Gasperich centre is equipped to house 50 dogs and 25 cats, but in reality more than 100 animals are squeezed into the shelter. The buildings from the 1960s are old and no longer able to cope with the numbers.

Since September 2010, however, a new “hotel” has been under construction for man's best friend, adjacent to the current shelter, the developers being "Lëtzebuerger Déiereschutzliga".

The new shelter is still a building site but developers hope that animals can move in as early as next spring.

Once everything is completed then around 90 kennels for dogs and 60 for cats will be available.

In 2010 the shelter was forced to house 400 missing dogs and 300 cats. 250 of the dogs were lucky enough to find new families, while 150 were returned to their original owners. Nearly all cats housed last year found homes.

The shelter is supported financially with 15,000 euros annually from the state and 1,500 euros from the City of Luxembourg. Other expenses are financed through donations. Two employees, three keepers, a dog trainer and a veterinary nurse are required to provide for the welfare of the dogs and cats. On top of that, two secretaries and two administrative staff are employed at the shelter.

"We are also supported by volunteers, without whom the care of the animals would be virtually impossible," said Pascale Sax, deputy manager of Gasperich animal shelter.

The Gasperich centre also gives members of the public the opportunity to brighten a dog's day by taking them for walks around the centre and returning them afterwards.This can be done from Monday to Saturday.

As for finding homes for the animals, the shelter places internet advertising and the Luxembourger Wort carries adverts too. The annual open day that was originally planned for November 7 has been postponed this year until the new buildings are complete.

Anyone who is interested in adopting an animal, or who simply wants to take a dog for a walk, can find information on the shelter's website: www.deierenasyl.lu, in regular ads in the Luxemburger Wort, or by calling 48 13 13.