External institutions

Report the discovery of an abandoned or stray pet in Hamburg

Prerequisites

Documents required

In order to respond quickly and appropriately, the responsible authorities need important information. Please always have the following information ready:

• Information about the animal
  • What type of animal is it?
  • Is the animal injured? If so, what injuries does the animal have?
• Information about the find
  • Date and Time
  • Location
  • Tied up, running free or accident
• Personal information
  • First and Last Name
  • Full Address
  • Telephone number

Please note

• As the finder, you can take the animal into your home after 7 days for cats and 5 days for other pets, with the consent of the Hamburg Animal Welfare Association of 1841 eV (HTV) and after reimbursement of the costs.
• You must house, care for, feed and provide veterinary care for the animal in a species-appropriate manner.
• If the owner does not contact you within 6 months, you must return the animal.
• You can demand reimbursement of necessary expenses and a finder's fee from the owner.
• After 6 months, the animal belongs to you unless you have renounced it beforehand.

• If you find a stray cat, you are not allowed to keep it. A free-roaming animal has the opportunity to find food wherever it wants and can go wherever it wants. You do not have to report this find.

Deadlines

You must report the find immediately.


The owner has 6 months to come forward. Then you must return the animal to him. If the owner does not come forward within 6 months, you can keep the animal.

Procedure

• Report the find to the owner.
• If this is unknown, please contact the Hamburg Animal Welfare Association of 1841 eV (HTV), which is the responsible office for found animals in Hamburg (“Lost and Found Office for Animals”).
• Provide information about the circumstances of the find that may be relevant to identifying the loser or the owner.
• As a general rule, you as the finder hand over the animal to the animal shelter after consulting the HTV by telephone.
• In exceptional cases, for example if the animals are injured, they can be picked up by HTV employees.

Processing time

In principle, the animal must be handed over to the animal shelter by the finder after consulting the Hamburg Animal Welfare Association of 1841 eV (HTV) by telephone. In exceptional cases, e.g. if the animal is injured, it will be picked up by HTV employees.


In case of emergencies, the animal shelter is open 24 hours a day, every day.

Fees

No

Legal remedies

No

Legal basis

Section 3 Number 3 Animal Welfare Act (TierSchG)


§§ 965 to 984 German Civil Code (BGB) in conjunction with § 90a German Civil Code (BGB)