Cat protection ordinance of the state capital Wiesbaden - simply explained
The cat protection ordinance came into force in Wiesbaden in 2017.
A cat protection ordinance has been in effect in Wiesbaden since 2017. Its goal is to prevent the uncontrolled breeding of cats and to reduce the suffering of many feral and stray animals. This is because unneutered cats reproduce very quickly. Many kittens are born sick, suffer from hunger, parasites, or injuries, and live on the streets without medical care. That is why the city of Wiesbaden has introduced mandatory rules for outdoor cats.
The most important regulations of the Cat Protection Ordinance
The following applies to all outdoor cats starting at five months of age:
- Mandatory
neutering: Cats must be neutered before they are allowed to roam freely. - Mandatory
identification: The animals must be permanently identified—either by a microchip or a tattoo. - Mandatory registration:
The cat must also be registered in a pet registry, such as Tasso e. V. or the "Findefix" pet registry of the German Animal Welfare Association (Deutscher Tierschutzbund e. V.). The animal’s information and the owner’s details are stored there.
Why are neutering, identification and registration so important?
Spaying and neutering help prevent uncontrolled breeding and, as a result, significant animal suffering. At the same time, the animals themselves benefit: spayed and neutered cats are often calmer, more relaxed, roam less, and are less likely to get into territorial fights. This also reduces the risk of injuries and certain diseases.
Microchipping and registration also ensure that it is possible to determine whether a cat has already been neutered. This allows lost animals to be identified and returned to their owners much more quickly.
Veterinary office can demand proof
The Office of Veterinary Services and Consumer Protection may require owners to provide proof of neutering and registration.
What happens in the event of violations?
If a fertile outdoor cat is found, the city may order that the animal be neutered, microchipped, and registered.
If the cat is not identified and the owner cannot therefore be located within 48 hours, the neutering may be performed at the owner’s expense.
Violations of the Cat Protection Ordinance are considered administrative offenses and may be punished with a fine of up to 1,000 euros.
Are there any exceptions?
Yes. Exemptions from the mandatory neutering requirement may be requested for approved breeding of purebred cats. However, the requirement for identification and registration remains in effect.
Why the regulation is important
The Cat Protection Ordinance protects not only stray cats, but also indoor and outdoor cats.
Neutering, identification, and registration help to:
- preventing animal suffering,
- curb diseases,
- return lost animals home more quickly, and
- reduce the number of stray cats in the long term.
Therefore
Spaying, neutering, microchipping, and registration are important—for all cats.
Documents
Contact us
Veterinary and Consumer Protection Office
Address
65187 Wiesbaden
Postal address
65029 Wiesbaden
Arrival
Notes on public transport
Bus stop Wielandstraße, bus route 37; bus stop Diesterwegschule, bus route 8.
Telephone
- +49 611 890770
- +49 611 8907749
Opening hours
Office hours of the food inspectors: Monday to Friday from 8 to 9 am.
Office hours of the official veterinarians: by appointment.
Information on accessibility
- Barrier-free access is available
- The WC is barrier-free