German Animal Welfare Award

With the German Animal Welfare Award, we 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 Association and the Whiskas and Pedigree brands. At a festive gala in Berlin, prizes are awarded in the categories "Lifetime achievement", "Voice for the animals" and "Audience award" in addition to the German Animal Welfare Award, which is unique in Germany. In 2025, for the first time, there was a separate category for a children's or youth animal welfare project in order to give special emphasis to the work of young people in animal welfare.

With the German Animal Welfare Award, we honor volunteers who dedicate their time, energy, compassion, and financial resources to those who cannot speak for themselves. These are individuals who fight for animals, never give up despite all odds, and thus serve as role models.

Thomas Schröder President of the German Animal Welfare Federation

German Animal Welfare Award 2025

In 2025, we presented the German Animal Welfare Award for the 21st time.

200

Applications

A total of over 200 applications were received.

Award winners

Five award winners were honored.

250

Guests

250 guests attended the award ceremony in Berlin.

18000

Euro prize money

The award winners received a total of 18,000 euros for their commitment.

Award winner

The jury selected the winners in five different categories from the hundreds of applications received. Find out more about the winners.

The main prize went to Mirjam Cordt from Erbes-Büdesheim: The founder of the association "Hilfe für Herdenschutzhunde" (Help for livestock guarding dogs) works tirelessly to take in, place and professionally care for livestock guarding dogs in need.

Dr. Christiane Haupt from Frankfurt am Main was honoured for her life's work. She has been running the German Society for Swifts for over 20 years and provides professional care for thousands of birds in the associated specialist clinic.

Actor and environmental activist Hannes Jaenicke received the German Animal Welfare Award in the "Voice for the Animals" category. In his many years of commitment in film, literature and foundation work, he draws international attention to animal and species protection. Judith Adlhoch and Nina Eichinger honored him on stage.

Nils Tetzlaff received the young talent award, which was presented to him by Kate Kitchenham. For many years, the 18-year-old has been involved with the animal shelter, urban pigeons and wild animals, among other things.

The association "Wir retten Rehkitze e.V." received the audience award, which was presented by veterinarian Dr. Karim Montasser. The association protects wild animals from being mowed to death every year.

Award ceremony

The best impressions from the 2025 award ceremony.

The German Animal Welfare Award was presented in a total of five categories on November 28, 2025 at the Humboldt Carré in Berlin. It is endowed with a total of 18,000 euros.

Mirjam Cordt was delighted to receive the main prize of the German Animal Welfare Award. Her association "Hilfe für Herdenschutzhunde" (Help for livestock guarding dogs) is committed to helping livestock guarding dogs in need.

Dr. Christiane Haupt has been running the German Swift Society for over 20 years and received the Animal Welfare Award for her life's work for her commitment. Laudator Christian Ehrlich presented the award.

The actor and environmental activist Hannes Jaenicke became a "voice for the animals". For many years, he has been involved in film, literature and foundation work for the protection of animals and species.

18-year-old Nils Tetzlaff received the young talent award. He has been involved with the Cuxhaven animal shelter and local animal welfare projects for years. Presenter Nina Eichinger interviewed him on stage after the award ceremony.

Veterinarian Dr. Karim Montasser presented the results of the Audience Choice Award, in which the public could vote for one of four fantastic animal welfare projects. The association "Wir retten Rehkitze e.V." won the vote and was awarded the Audience Award.

Animal Welfare Officer Silvia Breher thanked the award winners for their animal welfare work.

Award-winning juggler Stanislav Vysotskyi kept the audience enthralled with his performance.

YouTube vet Dr. Karim Montasser gave the laudatory speech for the special category.

Singer Jocelyn B. Smith performed her soundtrack hit from the Disney classic "The Lion King": "The Eternal Circle".

All award winners of the evening together with Animal Welfare Association President Thomas Schröder and jury member Kerstin Winkler of the event partners Whiskas & Pedigree.

After the award ceremony, guests were able to chat over vegan donuts and find out more about the award-winning projects.

Review

Award winners of the last 5 years

2024

Main category: Christiane Rohn (Argenhof - Gnadenhof Lebenswürde für Tiere e.V.)
Lifetime achievement: Dr. Ingrid Röschke
Voice for the animals: Malte Zierden
Audience award: Burg Nagezahn e.V.

2023

1st place: Stephanie "Stevie" Badura (Stevie's Hundesenioren-Hospiz e.V.)
Lifetime achievement: Gudrun Stürmer (Stadttaubenprojekt Frankfurt e.V.)
Special category: Dirk Sindhu (Bergische Greifvogelhilfe); Stefanie Kruse, Dr. Mathilde Laininger (Hauptsache Waschbär e.V.); Wildtierzentrum - Pflege und Artenschutz e.V. Saarburg
Readers' Award: Rosita Schumacher

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 headed by Regina Barthel-Marr
2nd prize: Dr. Renate Keil (bats)
3rd prize: Sina and Yara Marchioni (stray 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

2020

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
Readers' Prize: Tiernothilfe Nord e.V. from Soltau