Requirements for the accommodation

Housing should take place in secure indoor areas, if possible in combination with secure outdoor enclosures and/or secured balconies. At least one place for isolation of individual cats should be available, with the indoor enclosures for isolation having a floor area of at least 1 m² and a height of at least 70 cm. Boxes that can be connected to each other are ideal, so that the size of the isolation enclosure can be adapted to the varying need for movement during the healing process. Isolation boxes must contain a litter tray, a water bowl and a food bowl.

Cats should be kept individually or in groups depending on compatibility. There should be at least 6 m² for one cat and an additional 2 m² (floor space) for each additional cat. The vertical space should be utilized through climbing structures and higher retreats (provided there are no contrary medical reasons or physical limitations of the cats). Ideally, no more than 10 cats should be kept together. In the case of larger groups, the aim should be to reduce the size of the group in the long term by adopting them to suitable owners or by placing cats/groups of cats in suitable foster homes.

Sufficient toilets must also be available in the accommodation. If possible, the number of toilets should be equal to the number of cats. If this is not possible for reasons of space, the table below gives an overview of the minimum number depending on the size of the group. The larger the group, the more we encourage the use of larger toilets. If toilets need to be shared between a higher number of cats, the frequently with which the toilets should be cleaned and the intervals at which the cat litter is changed should be shortened.

The temperature in the accommodation should be at least 15°C and a maximum of 28°C. The temperature should be checked at least daily, especially if the outside temperature is extreme. Particular vigilance is required for newborn animals. The ambient temperature for newborn kittens (day 1-7) should be between 30-32°C, and can be lowered by 2°C each week during the 2nd and 3rd week of life (day 8-21). Additional heat sources (hot water bottles, heat lamps) may need to be used for this purpose. From the 4th week of life (day 22+), a normal room temperature of around 20°C is sufficient.

The accommodation should let in natural light through windows. The windows must never be tilted and must be secured with a net unless they lead to a secured outdoor enclosure or secured balcony.

Surfaces should be easy to clean, carpets should be removable and should washed when soiled and as part of regular cleaning. In the case of special needs, e.g. due to gait disorders, the floor surface should be chosen according to the needs of the cats, without disregarding the hygienic requirements.

Free-roaming cats can also be cared for on the premises, or may be returned to their familiar habitat after treatment has been completed.

All cats cared for by the rescuer should be provided with shelter from rain, heat and cold at all times.

Admission of new cats

If possible, new cats should be examined by a vet before they are taken in, to clarify their state of health and their infection status for communicable diseases. Cats with an unclear status that could not be presented to a vet before admission should be isolated and presented to the vet as soon as possible before having contact with other animals. Deworming should be carried out at least 24 hours before having contact with other animals.

Vaccinations should be carried out after consultation with the attending veterinarian, ideally in accordance with the recommendations of the WSAVA (World Small Animal Veterinary Association) for animals in animal shelters and rescue centers. The chart below provides an overview of the recommendations (as of 07.06.2024):

Mother cats should be housed with their kittens until the kittens are at least 10 weeks old. Motherless kittens should either be placed with another nursing mother cat or bottle-fed. The decision should be made on a case-by-case basis and discussed with the vet if necessary. The mother cat should be provided with a retreat that is not accessible to the kittens.

New cats that have been taken in and newborn cats (including stillborn cats) must always be documented. The documentation should contain the following information if possible:

1. Animal species, color, sex, microchip number (if available), (estimated) age, peculiarities in behavior and appearance (supported by photos if necessary)
2. place of discovery, time of discovery, date of recording
3. results of veterinary examinations, medical findings, treatments/surgeries, medication and illnesses

Hygiene

The accommodation should be cleaned at least once a week. Floors and other surfaces should be mopped and, if necessary, disinfected. Textiles (cat beds, blankets, carpets, etc.) should be washed regularly depending on the number of cats.

Visible soiling should be removed daily, visibly soiled textiles should be removed and washed immediately.

Cats living in groups should be treated against fleas and ticks all year round (according to the instructions for the product used). Deworming with an anthelmintic should also be carried out at least every 3 months. Kittens should be dewormed for the first time 3 weeks after birth, at the same time as the mother. Free-roaming cats that are looked after should be dewormed every month if possible.

When handling cats that need to be isolated due to possible infectious diseases (respiratory diseases, skin diseases, parasites, eye infections) and during treatment of a diagnosed infectious disease, thorough hand disinfection should be carried out before handling other cats. It may also be necessary to wear gloves (e.g. for fleas, lice, scabies, giardia, cryptosporia, ringworm).

Food and water

Cats should be fed twice a day. If cats are kept in groups, at least 2 easily accessible food bowls/feeding places and 2 easily accessible drinking bowls/drinking places must be available to the cats. Food and water bowls must be placed separately from the toilets. If necessary, additional feeding bowls should be placed in higher locations to ensure that each cat has sufficient access to food.

A mixture of wet food and dry food should be offered. Dry food can also be offered in suitable toys as a form of enrichment. Attention should be paid to the special nutritional requirements of individual cats; these cats may need to be fed separately (e.g. if special kidney food, diet food/diabetic food is required).

If possible, flat ceramic or stainless steel dishes should be used, as these are less susceptible to odors and bacteria are less likely to multiply on these surfaces.

Wet food that has not been eaten should be removed and discarded after 24 hours at the latest; depending on the temperature and room climate (e.g. heat and high humidity), this period should be shortened accordingly.

Water bowls with standing water should be changed daily. Drinking fountains/water dispensers with running water should be checked daily and refilled if necessary. The water should be completely changed and the drinking fountain cleaned at least once a week. It is advisable to use several drinking fountains in rotation so that the pump can be cleaned and decalcified in regular intervals.

The food and water bowls should be cleaned by hand or in the dishwasher with hot water and dish detergent after each use. Bowl mats/ placemats should also be changed and cleaned regularly (depending on the number of cats and the degree of soiling) between once a week to once a day.

The following foods must not be fed to cats: raw or undercooked meat, raw fish, bones (due to the risk of internal injuries from sharp bone splinters), raw eggs (due to the risk of salmonella infection), onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, yeast dough, coffee, citrus fruits, avocado, coconut, macadamia nuts, alcohol, sugar substitutes and chocolate.

Socialization

All cats should be offered daily human contact through play and feeding. Cats that withdraw and avoid contact should not be harassed, but should be rewarded for contact attempts (e.g. with food). Desensitization and training should always take place through positive reinforcement, punishments or violence are strictly forbidden.

Medical care

After the initial examination and any potential previous veterinary treatment, veterinary instructions should be documented and followed.

Adult cats between 6 months and 8 years of age should be weighed approximately every 2-3 months. Cats >8 years of age should be weighed about once a month; more frequent weight checks may be necessary in the event of acute changes. In the case of known diseases affecting the heart, kidneys, sugar metabolism or teeth/periodontium, the weight should also be checked more frequently, following the recommendations of the vet.

Animals showing symptoms of illness should be presented to a vet and isolated if necessary.

Adoption

At the present time, the association cannot participate in arranging adoptions from rescuers to pet owners. As soon as the necessary conditions have been created, this guideline will be revised accordingly.

The rescuer can independently arrange adoption of suitable cats (including cats with permanent physical limitations and consequent special requirements for the future environment, or cats with chronic illnesses and consequent need for ongoing medication, dietary or other therapies) into what he/she considers to be a suitable home. The cat's new owner must be informed of any existing restrictions, as well as the cat's medical history and any further necessary therapeutic measures.

Prerequisites for placement should be successful socialization, an existing and registered microchip, completed neutering surgery and up-to-date vaccinations as recommended by the WSAVA. Further measures may be necessary (e.g. if the cat is adopted internationally).

The association agrees to support the rescuer with the costs of preparing the adoption process. However, the planning and adoption itself is carried out completely independently by the rescuer.

In the event of problems/difficulties

The association must be informed by email in the event of problems with the keeping and care of the cats so that (short-term and long-term) solutions can be found together.

If the maximum number of cats is exceeded, the rescuer must make efforts to reduce the number of cats present by placing suitable cats in an appropriate environment (e.g. adoption, foster care, other).