Paw Prints the Magazine

Fur Flies Over Shelter for Auschwitz Cat

Reuters has reported that a cat living at the former Nazi death camp of Auschwitz has caused the claws to come out.  An animal care group would like a shelter to be built for a cat that has taken up residence at the site and Polish authorities have refused the group’s request.

The grey and white cat, known as both Rudolf or Bruno, depending on who you ask and despite being female, can often be seen sitting near the notorious “Arbeit macht frei” (”Work sets you free”) sign at the entrance to the camp. The freezing temperatures, going as low as -29 degrees Farenheit, have not deterred her.

A sleepy cat outside the barb wire fencing of Auschwitz, the notorious Nazi concentration camp in Poland (June 2009).

The museum that runs the camp has rejected a call from the group “For Animals” to build a cat shelter, saying other animals also live at the site and that visitors are its main priority.

A museum employee actually tried to give the animal a home, but after letting her out in an attempt to let her have the luxury of an indoor/outdoor lifestyle, she went directly back to the ‘Arbeit macht frei’ gate at the camp. The museum employee, Adam Cyra, said it was just “like a boomerang.”

It seems the cat likely showed up at the camp about six months ago and attracted attention after Polish newspapers and websites reported on the animal’s attachment to the site and the campaign to build a shelter. Visitors have even said they’ve visited primarily to see the cat and have even offered to adopt her.

Too bad kitty isn’t a better “watchdog.” Unfortunately, while the cat has been staying near the entrance, a gang stole the “Arbeit macht frei” sign. Polish police later recovered the sign and found it cut into three pieces. Five suspects were subsequently arrested.

A cat rests on a windowsill next to the gate of the former Nazi camp of Auschwitz in Oswiecim 01/27/10. Credit: Reuters/Kacper Pempel

Up to 1.5 million people, mostly Jews, perished at Auschwitz during the Nazi occupation of Poland in World War Two. The site, near the town of Oswiecim in southern Poland, received more than one million visitors in 2009.

I guess I have to ask the question. What do you think about building any additional structure on the grounds of a place such as this?

In my humble opinion, this place is hallowed ground and no one should build anything there – for animals or any other reason.