German Animal Welfare Award

The German Animal Welfare Award is intended to honor people, initiatives and associations that are passionate and committed to animal welfare and at the same time help animals. The award is a joint initiative of the German Animal Welfare Federation, the Whiskas and Pedigree brands and the magazine "Ein Herz für Tiere". At a festive gala in Berlin, prizes in the categories "Lifetime achievement", "Voice for the animals" and "Audience award" will be presented in addition to the German Animal Welfare Award, which is unique in Germany.

Animal welfare award - apply now

You can submit proposals for the German Animal Welfare Award 2025 via our application form until April 30 . It is possible to apply yourself or to nominate another committed person, association or initiative. The award ceremony and anniversary celebration will take place on November 28 in Berlin.

To the application form

Do you still have questions about the German Animal Welfare Award? We have summarized the most frequently asked questions and answers for you.

FAQs

With the German Animal Welfare Award, we honor volunteers who give their time, energy, heart and money for those who have no voice themselves. These are personalities who fight for animals, do not give up despite all adversity and thus become role models

Thomas Schröder President of the German Animal Welfare Federation

German Animal Welfare Award 2024

In 2024, we presented the German Animal Welfare Award for the 20th time.

500

Applications

A total of 500 applications were received.

Award winners

Four award winners were honored.

250

Guests

250 guests attended the award ceremony in Berlin.

15000

Euro prize money

The award winners received a total of 15,000 euros for their commitment.

Award winner

The jury selected the winners in four different categories from over 500 applications received. Find out more about the winners.

The first prize went to Argenhof, an animal sanctuary in Amtzell, Baden-Württemberg. Around 180 animals, mainly horses and dogs with behavioral problems that would not have a chance anywhere else and some of which are threatened with euthanasia, find a loving home here.

Dr. Ingrid Röschke received the German Animal Welfare Award for lifetime achievement in animal welfare for her decades of commitment. The retired biology teacher, who lives in Eisenach, has been caring for wild birds and hedgehogs in her private care home for almost 40 years.

In the new "Voice for the Animals" award category, the German Animal Welfare Award went to Hamburg-based content creator and animal welfare activist Malte Zierden. He uses moving videos on social media to contribute to a more compassionate human-animal relationship and greater social appreciation, including for despised or forgotten animals.

Urkunde zum Tierschutzpreis für Publikumssieger Burg Nagezahn — In an online vote, Burg Nagezahn was chosen as the winner in the "Audience Award" category. Natascha Junker and Rico Gürtler house around 70 rescued chinchillas, degus, rabbits, guinea pigs, mice and hamsters in a species-appropriate environment at their facility.

Award ceremony 2024

The German Animal Welfare Award 2024 was presented at a ceremony in Berlin on November 22.

Christiane Rohn and the team from Argenhof were delighted to receive this year's German Animal Welfare Award. On seven and a half hectares, the animal welfare activists give around 180 animals in need a loving home for life.

In the "Voice for the Animals" award category, the German Animal Welfare Award went to content creator and animal welfare activist Malte Zierden. He takes his social media community on animal rescue missions in war and crisis zones, raises awareness of animal suffering and sensitizes people to abuses.

Dr. Ingrid Röschke received the German Animal Welfare Award for lifetime achievement in animal welfare for her decades of commitment. She has been caring for wild birds and hedgehogs in her private foster home for almost 40 years.

In an online vote, Burg Nagezahn was chosen as the winner in the "Audience Award" category. Natascha Junker and Rico Gürtler house around 70 rescued chinchillas, degus, rabbits, guinea pigs, mice and hamsters in a species-appropriate environment at their facility.

At the gala, Federal Animal Welfare Commissioner Ariane Kari also thanked the award winners for their animal welfare work.

Award winners of the last 5 years

2022

1st place: Herzensangelegenheit - Menschen für Tiere und Tiere für Menschen in Not e.V.
2nd place: Esel in Not e.V.
3rd place: Achtung für Tiere e. V. (life farm, youth work, political work: pony carousel)
Lifetime achievement: Marlene Steltner Lange (Verein Aktiver Tierschutz e.V.)
Special category "Ukraine-Hilfe": Frank Lauer, Tierretter Tierhilfe Camp in Medyka, Tierschutz Henstedt-Ulzburg e.V., Tierschutzverein Berlin und Umgebung e.V.
Readers' Award: Sabine Eck Die Seelentröster - Tiere helfen Menschen e.V.

2021

1st prize: Freital Animal Welfare Association led by association chairwoman Regina Barthel-Marr
2nd prize: Dr. Renate Keil (bats)
3rd prize: Sina and Yara Marchioni (street cats)
Lifetime achievement: Ewald Ferlemann
Special category "Flood relief": Bundesverband Gemeinschaft Deutscher Tierrettungsdienste e.V., Tierheim u. Tierschutzverein Kreis Ahrweiler e.V. am Standort Remagend, Tierschutzverein Andernach u.U. e.V. g
Readers' Award: Simone Staatz / Tierschutzhof Familie Staatz

2021

1st prize: "Düsseldorfer Streetdogs" project of the Tierhilfe Streuner & Co e.V. association
2. 2nd prize: Jaqueline Gräfe / Eichhörnchen Notruf e.V.
3rd prize: Greifvogelauffangstation Fürth
Lifetime achievement: Andrea Rücker
Special category "Animals with a handicap": IG Blinde Pferde e.V., De Hun'nenhoff Foundation, Hürdenwellies e.V.
Readers' Prize: Merwel Otto-Link / Hedgehog Care Rotenburg/Wümme

2019

1st prize: Dogman Tierhilfe e.V.
2nd prize: "TiNa macht Schule"
3rd prize: Carola Mälzer / Tierschutzverein Güstrow
Lifetime achievement: Bruno Steder
Special category "Tiertafeln": Frankfurter TierTafel e.V. , Notnasen-Hilfe Genthin
Reader prize: Tiernothilfe Nord e.V. from Soltau

2018

1st prize: Ann-Catrin Schmidt
2nd prize: Dr. Susanne Schmidt (Wildtierauffang- und Pflegestation Cottbus-Skadow e.V.)
3rd prize: Airliner4Animals e.V.
Lifetime achievement: Gudrun Lumpp
Special category: Pigeon protection