Rescued Sheep Finds Novel Home After Illegal Removal from Shawarma Shop

One of two sheep removed from the garden of a shawarma shop in Veldhoven, Netherlands, last year is thriving and preparing for a new, permanent home. The animals were confiscated by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) after being found without ear tags, essential for animal identification and traceability.

Discovery and Confiscation

In June 2025, the NVWA responded to a report and discovered the two sheep in a shed within the paved garden of the shawarma shop. The animals were housed in a cage with a layer of straw. The absence of ear tags prompted the NVWA to seize the sheep, as these tags are legally required to track an animal’s origin and health history. According to Sandra van de Werd of the Animal Emergency Aid Committee, the removal of ear tags often indicates stolen animals or an attempt to conceal their origin. Source

A Second Chance for One Sheep

While one of the sheep has since died, the remaining sheep is recovering well at the Huis van de Dieren shelter in Horn. Esmée Olthuis of the shelter confirmed the animal is adapting and happily grazing with other rescued sheep. A long-term home is now being arranged for the sheep. Source

Concerns Over Illegal Slaughter

The discovery of the sheep in Veldhoven coincided with reports of illegal animal slaughter activities. Olthuis noted the unusual circumstances of keeping sheep in a tiled garden without ear tags raised suspicions. The Animal Emergency Aid Committee linked the Veldhoven case to broader concerns about illegal slaughter, particularly around the time of the Offerfeest (Eid al-Adha). Source

Broader Crackdown on Illegal Slaughterhouses

In June 2025, Dutch authorities conducted raids on several illegal slaughterhouses across the Netherlands, seizing carcasses and rescuing live animals during the Offerfeest. The NVWA and police discovered four sheep carcasses and eight live sheep at an illegal site in Noord-Limburg, transferring the live animals to the Animal Emergency Aid Committee. Source three live sheep were found in the trunks of cars in Edam and Katwoude. Source

Ongoing Efforts to Combat Illegal Practices

The NVWA has increased inspections during Offerfeest to target unlicensed and illegal slaughter activities. The Animal Emergency Aid Committee continues to provide care for rescued animals, acknowledging the scale of the problem. Olthuis emphasized that the number of animals rescued represents only a fraction of those illegally slaughtered. Source