How do I contact the shelter about Balu?

Use the phone, email, or website link in the sidebar of this page. Tierheim Gelsenkirchen handles screening and the adoption contract directly — TailHarbor doesn't broker the conversation. When you reach out, mention you saw Balu on TailHarbor so they know which animal you're asking about.

Can I adopt Balu if I live in another country?

Yes, in most cases. Rescues across Europe routinely place animals abroad — Tierheim Gelsenkirchen will tell you what they need (EU pet passport, rabies titer, transport coordination) and whether they handle transport themselves or refer you to a partner. Plan for an extra €100–€350 in transport costs depending on distance.

Is Balu already vetted, vaccinated, and chipped?

Most dogs on TailHarbor leave their shelter with sterilization, current vaccinations, microchip ID, and an EU pet passport included in the adoption fee. The vet status on this page reflects what the shelter has reported — ask them directly if you need details on specific vaccines, recent bloodwork, or chronic conditions.

What happens if Balu isn't the right fit?

Every reputable rescue accepts an animal back if the adoption genuinely doesn't work — that's part of the standard contract. Talk it through with Tierheim Gelsenkirchen early rather than rehoming privately; they know Balu and can place them more successfully than a second-hand listing can.

Why does the description sometimes read awkwardly?

TailHarbor translates shelter descriptions into English from the source language (DE). Translation is imperfect — names of streets, donors, and shelter-specific terms occasionally slip through unidiomatically. For the cleanest read, click the source link to see the shelter's original page.

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Available

Balu

Male · Senior · 9 years

Balu we brought home from the Gelsenkirchen animal shelter in May 2018. He was found in a cardboard box with his siblings outside the animal shelter. At that time, he was already one year old. At our home, he had his partner Nala. Their relationship went smoothly, and both fell in love with each other quickly. Since then, they have been a perfect match. Nala and Balu had their own room in our apartment, and Balu knows only the inside of it. Balu is not a cuddly rabbit; he has a good trust with us but is not a big people’s pet. Unfortunately, Nala passed away before Christmas. He had enough time to say goodbye to her, but since then, he has become very withdrawn, eats little, and prefers to stay in his little house. We really wish that he can find a partner with whom he can spend the rest of his life, despite his advanced age. We have reluctantly decided to give up our responsibility as caretakers, which is why we are taking this step. Contact: Mrs. Golombiewski Email:

DE·Show original

Balu haben wir im 05/2018 aus dem Tierheim Gelsenkirchen zu uns nach Hause gebracht.Er wurde damals in einem Karton mit seinen Geschwistern vor dem Tierheim gefunden. Da war er schon 1 Jahr alt. Bei uns Zuhause hatte er seine Partnerin Nala.Die Vergesellschaftung lief reibungslos und beide haben sich schnell ineinander verliebt. Seit diesem Tag waren beide ein Herz und eine Seele. Nala und Balu hatten in unserer Wohnung ein eigenes Zimmer, Balu kennt nur die Innenhaltung. Ein großer Menschenfreund ist Balu nicht.Er hatte in uns ein gutes Vertrauen, ist aber auch kein Kuschelhase. Vor Weihnachten ist dann leider seine Partnerin verstorben. Er hatte genug Zeit sich von ihr zu verabschieden, ist seitdem aber sehr in sich gekehrt, isst wenig und bleibt lieber in sein Häuschen. Wir wünschen uns wirklich sehr, dass er einen Partner findet, mit dem er noch mit seinem hohen Alter seine restliche Zeit verbringen kann. Wir haben uns schweren Herzens dazu entschieden, die Haltung aufzugeben, deshalb gehen wir leider diesen Schritt. Kontakt: Frau Golombiewski E-Mail:

Size

Large

Age

Senior · 9 years

Location

🇩🇪Gelsenkirchen

Shelter

Tierheim Gelsenkirchen

Living with Balu

✓Neutered

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Cared for by Tierheim Gelsenkirchen · Gelsenkirchen

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Listed 2 months ago

Bringing Balu home

What you'll need for Balu in week one.

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About Balu

What life with Balu looks like

Balu is a large senior dog waiting at Tierheim Gelsenkirchen in Gelsenkirchen.

Senior dogs settle in faster than younger ones. They want a soft bed, predictable meals, and short, sniff-heavy walks rather than runs. Many senior rescues bond deeply within weeks because they understand exactly how good a stable home is. Expect occasional vet visits for joint or dental care.

🇩🇪Adopting from Germany

German rescues typically require an in-person home visit (Vorkontrolle) or detailed video home check before approving adoption. Animals leave the shelter sterilized, microchipped, and with a valid EU pet passport. Adoption fees usually fall between €250 and €450, covering veterinary preparation.

Gelsenkirchen, Germany — browse more dogs in Germany.

Frequently asked

Adopting Balu, answered.

How do I contact the shelter about Balu?: Use the phone, email, or website link in the sidebar of this page. Tierheim Gelsenkirchen handles screening and the adoption contract directly — TailHarbor doesn't broker the conversation. When you reach out, mention you saw Balu on TailHarbor so they know which animal you're asking about.
Can I adopt Balu if I live in another country?: Yes, in most cases. Rescues across Europe routinely place animals abroad — Tierheim Gelsenkirchen will tell you what they need (EU pet passport, rabies titer, transport coordination) and whether they handle transport themselves or refer you to a partner. Plan for an extra €100–€350 in transport costs depending on distance.
Is Balu already vetted, vaccinated, and chipped?: Most dogs on TailHarbor leave their shelter with sterilization, current vaccinations, microchip ID, and an EU pet passport included in the adoption fee. The vet status on this page reflects what the shelter has reported — ask them directly if you need details on specific vaccines, recent bloodwork, or chronic conditions.
What happens if Balu isn't the right fit?: Every reputable rescue accepts an animal back if the adoption genuinely doesn't work — that's part of the standard contract. Talk it through with Tierheim Gelsenkirchen early rather than rehoming privately; they know Balu and can place them more successfully than a second-hand listing can.
Why does the description sometimes read awkwardly?: TailHarbor translates shelter descriptions into English from the source language (DE). Translation is imperfect — names of streets, donors, and shelter-specific terms occasionally slip through unidiomatically. For the cleanest read, click the source link to see the shelter's original page.