Grimbergen (Eurotoday) – Residents near the warehouse that recently burned down in Grimbergen are being asked to contact the Pootjesparadijs animal shelter in Zemst if they spot unidentified or injured cats in the area. The shelter suspects that numerous stray cats, which lived near the warehouse, may have been harmed during the fire. Some have reportedly been seen wandering with burn injuries.
Pootjesparadijs is appealing to the public for help in locating and rescuing these affected animals.
“The burnt-out barn in Grimbergen was also home to quite a few stray cats,” said Jasper, a volunteer with the shelter.
“We’ve already received reports of cats affected by the fire. One cat with severe burns fled into a veranda but has since disappeared. We believe more injured cats are likely still out there,” he added.
The shelter is urging residents of Grimbergen, Humbeek, and Beigem to keep an eye out for stray cats that are behaving abnormally, moving with difficulty, or showing signs of burns.
“We ask all locals, walkers, cyclists, and anyone passing through the area to report any sightings. Look under bushes, in garden sheds, or behind hedges—common hiding spots for injured animals. Please don’t approach the cats directly. Instead, take a photo from a distance, note the exact location, and contact us immediately. We’ve set up trap cages in the area as well,” Jasper said.
The Shelter’s History Amid Stray Cat Crisis in Grimbergen
Grimbergen, a municipality in Flemish Brabant, has long struggled with a high stray cat population, estimated between 500 and 700 animals. The area around the burned warehouse is particularly affected. In 2023 alone, Vlaanderen Stray Cats recorded more than 200 trap-neuter-return (TNR) procedures conducted in Grimbergen.
Industrial area fires pose a unique threat to local stray populations, as abandoned buildings often become shelters for feral animal colonies. The Pootjesparadijs shelter handles approximately 300 animal rescue cases annually, with cats representing 180 of those. In a notable 2021 incident, the shelter rescued 17 cats following a factory fire in nearby Vilvoorde, many of which required extensive burn treatment.
Veterinary sources report that about 40% of stray animals with fire-related injuries die without intervention, underscoring the urgency of timely rescues.
Local authorities began implementing organized TNR programs in 2018, which have helped reduce the stray animal population by 22%, according to the Flemish Animal Welfare Agency. In recent years, fires such as this latest one have caused stray cats to spread into neighboring residential areas, complicating rescue efforts.
Since 2022, the Grimbergen municipality has allocated €15,000 annually to support CNR initiatives. Still, shelters like Pootjesparadijs depend heavily on volunteers and public reports during emergencies.
Eurotoday is a daily online newspaper based in Belgium. It provides unique and independent coverage on international and European affairs. With a Europe-wide focus, Eurotoday reports on EU policy, member state developments, and global issues from a European perspective.
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