The demolition of the elevated highway requires the Mainz Animal Shelter to relocate. It will not be possible for the Mainz Animal Shelter to continue operating at its current location during the construction work.

The approximately 1.3-kilometer-long elevated road has significant structural defects. The prestressing steel used in its construction is susceptible to stress corrosion cracking, which is why complete demolition is the only option for safety reasons.

The Mainz Animal Shelter and the City of Mainz have been in discussions since the summer of 2022 to work out a solution together.

The City of Mainz, in close coordination with the Mainz Animal Shelter, has developed an interim solution to ensure that operations can continue during the demolition work. Two temporary locations are planned—one on Mombacher Straße and one at “Am Rondell”—which can operate simultaneously. These sites have already been incorporated into the ongoing bidding process for the demolition of the elevated highway.

The facilities will be constructed using modern modular design and will significantly improve upon the current accommodations. They will be permanently available to the animal shelter—even at a different location.

On the recommendation of the Mainz Animal Shelter, an architect with extensive experience and a strong reputation in the design of animal shelters was commissioned to develop a modern concept that complies with animal welfare standards.

The Mainz Animal Shelter incurs no costs for the temporary locations. The City of Mainz provides the land and facilities free of charge. The city also covers the moving costs, thereby investing a total of several million euros in the shelter.

Yes, the City of Mainz is providing both organizational and logistical support to the Mainz Animal Shelter for its move to the temporary locations as well as for its subsequent return.

The animal shelter will not move until the temporary facilities are ready. Construction of the temporary facilities is scheduled to begin in 2027, and the animals will be relocated in phases throughout that year. Afterward, demolition of the elevated road at the shelter’s current location will begin.

Yes, the alternative locations will be ready by then.

The City of Mainz is providing sustainable, animal-friendly, and mobile facilities that can continue to be used at the permanent location in the future. The welfare of the animals is the top priority for the Mainz Animal Shelter and the City of Mainz. There is no risk to the animals.

The Rondell site will be a two-story building. The Mombacher Straße site will be a single-story building.

No, because these are already sealed surfaces.

The Mainz Animal Shelter, the city of Mainz, and the architect in charge are maintaining close communication to further refine the planning details.

For a long time, the animal shelter has expressly expressed its desire to return to its former location once the elevated highway is demolished. This desire has been the basis for planning efforts in recent years. 

That is why

• were the temporary locations selected,
• the bidding process was launched a year ago, and
• did the architect design mobile facilities that could later be reused at the current location. 

If an alternative location is ultimately chosen, this would present a new challenge. The City of Mainz will work with the Mainz Animal Shelter to find a suitable solution and will provide its full support.

If no new location is found, the Mainz Animal Shelter will regain its current location with its modern facilities.

In any case, the shelter will be able to continue using the mobile facilities on a long-term basis.