Animal shelters take in 1,144 animals in June

Animal Protection Denmark’s seven animal shelters took in 1,144 animals in June, equivalent to 38 animals a day. The organisation says that summer is the busiest season for surrendered animals and expects pressure on the shelters to continue in the coming months.

According to Animal Protection Denmark, the animals admitted to its shelters include abandoned animals as well as pets whose owners are no longer able to care for them.

Shelter Manager Karina Fisker points to the lack of spaying and neutering of cats as a major reason why so many unwanted kittens end up in shelters every year. At the same time, the organisation is seeing family pets being surrendered because their owners no longer have the time or resources to care for them.

Cats accounted for by far the largest share of animals admitted in June. Of the 1,144 animals, 905 were cats, many of them young kittens found without their mother. According to Animal Protection Denmark, this places considerable pressure on the shelters, which also face difficulties finding foster families during the holiday season.

The organisation also states that the warm summer poses a particular risk to young kittens, which can quickly become dehydrated if they do not have access to water and shade.

Animal Protection Denmark also urges cat owners to arrange care for their cats during holidays. According to the organisation, it is a misconception that cats can be left unattended for extended periods.

Cats are not the only animals admitted during the summer. Rabbits, guinea pigs and other small companion animals are also found and brought to shelters. During the June heatwave, for example, two guinea pigs were found abandoned in a closed box without access to water and were subsequently taken to the shelter in Brande.

In 2025, Animal Protection Denmark’s shelters received a total of 10,597 animals, with more than half admitted between July and October. As more animals were admitted in June 2026 than in the same month the previous year, the organisation expects another busy late summer and autumn.

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