Duisburg: Preliminary insolvency proceedings at Zoo Zajac – Ruhr area – News

Exotic snakes, tarantulas, fish, birds, but also rabbits and guinea pigs – a total of 3,000 animal species on around 13,000 square meters, plus accessories from dog leashes to pond plants – all of this is available at Zoo Zajac.

But it’s not just because of its size that it has become known throughout Germany in recent decades; The pet shop repeatedly hit the headlines due to protests from animal rights activists who criticized it for its trade in puppies.

Application for preliminary insolvency proceedings

Business boomed, for example during the corona pandemic, when many people got pets. At peak times, annual sales at Zoo Zajac are said to have been 15 million euros. But two years after the death of company founder Norbert Zajac, the pet shop is in an economic crisis – and has filed for preliminary insolvency proceedings.

“The Duisburg District Court approved the application and appointed lawyer Sarah Wolf from Anchor Rechtsanwälte as provisional insolvency administrator”says a statement from the law firm “Anchor” one day before Christmas Eve.

Cited as the cause of the crisis “Anchor” Among other things, sharply increased prices for purchasing goods, transport and energy costs, but also new regulations in animal husbandry. “The specific trigger for the insolvency application was several failed loan negotiations for further interim financing“, it continues.

Operations should continue

Operations at Zoo Zajac should continue without restrictions. The salaries of the 150 employees are secured by the insolvency money from the Federal Employment Agency, says the provisional insolvency administrator Sarah Wolf. “The team wants to support the joint course of renovation so that Zoo Zajac can look towards a long-term, secure future”. The search for a possible investor for the company will begin in the coming days.

Our source:

The reports on this topic WDR on December 23rd, 2024 also on WDR local time Duisburg