This is what we stand for

As the umbrella organization for animal welfare associations and animal shelters in Germany, we are committed to the protection of every single animal.

All activities of the German Animal Welfare Federation are geared towards realizing this vision:

• We stand up for the protection of every single animal - in the context of an environment and nature worth living in.
• The basis of all our commitment is animal welfare with heart and mind. We are fighting for an end to animal suffering in Germany, Europe and worldwide.
• We are fighting to ensure that no animal suffers or is killed for human benefit.
• We actively support social change towards greater animal welfare.
• We are independent and do not seek institutional funding.

• We approach all animal welfare issues with heart and mind.
• In our work, the animal comes first, but we do not forget the human being.
• Where human fate is the cause of animal suffering, people also need help. We therefore seek cooperation with those who care for these people.
• We reject violence against animals and humans. We use democratic and legally legitimate means to achieve our goals. We stand up for the basic rights and liberal democratic values enshrined in the German constitution and refuse to cooperate with anyone who rejects or wants to abolish these basic rights and order.
• We are consistent in our animal welfare policy, but neutral in terms of party politics.
• We value everyone in society who supports our goals and tasks in line with our mission statement as a valuable partner - regardless of gender, origin, religious or sexual orientation.
• We stand for a democratic, open-minded society and reject any form of discrimination, especially when animal welfare is misused as a means of defaming social groups.