Overview

• Tierheim Hilden invited volunteers to a July 5 grill fest featuring bratwurst, triggering nearly 3,000 comments on its Facebook page.
• Facebook’s comment section was disabled as insults and heated exchanges escalated following the festival announcement.
• On June 25, the shelter announced it would remove all meat offerings after critics argued serving meat contradicted its mission.
• Some supporters hailed the shift as a fitting tribute to animal welfare, while detractors called it patronizing and warned it might deter meat-eating donors.
• The shelter has urged respectful dialogue as it prepares a vegetarian-only menu for the upcoming event.