The German Animal Welfare Federation has filed a lawsuit against the Federal Republic of Germany, represented by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture—specifically Federal Minister Alois Rainer—with the Administrative Court of Cologne. The lawsuit stems from the federal government’s years of inadequate support for animal shelters and similar facilities. After the federal government once again failed to allocate funds in the 2026 federal budget despite corresponding commitments in the coalition agreement, the association feels compelled to take this legal step. With this action for performance, the German Animal Welfare Association is breaking new legal ground. The goal is to have a court clarify for the first time whether the federal government is obligated under the constitutional goal of animal welfare to also provide financial support for practical animal welfare.
“Animal shelters and similar facilities are on the verge of collapse in many places. For decades, the government has been shifting key animal welfare responsibilities—and thus the fulfillment of a public policy objective—onto nonprofit organizations without adequately ensuring their long-term viability or even properly recognizing the value of their services,” says Thomas Schröder, president of the German Animal Welfare Federation. “The burden is no longer bearable, and costs are rising dramatically. More and more animals are staying in the facilities for longer periods, and legal requirements are increasing. This necessitates significant investments in buildings and equipment, not to mention energy-related challenges.”
Government regulations and political failures are exacerbating the situation
According to the German Animal Welfare Federation, the challenges facing the animal welfare sector have intensified significantly in recent years, partly due to federal regulations—including stricter requirements for disease control and occupational safety, rising veterinary costs, and new energy efficiency mandates. At the same time, there is now a backlog of investments amounting to hundreds of millions of euros needed to keep animal shelters operational and make them sustainable. According to the German Animal Welfare Federation, failures in regulatory law are also contributing to the worsening situation.
The “Sports Billion” Shows: “It’s Just a Matter of Will!”
Previous governments had repeatedly postponed announced aid packages. The current federal government points to the responsibility of the states and local authorities. However, the so-called “Sports Billion” demonstrates that direct federal funding is indeed possible: Cities and municipalities have recently been able to apply directly to the federal government for grants to renovate local sports facilities. “The ‘Sports Billion’ makes it clear, if nothing else: When the federal government wants to act, it can act,” said Schröder. “At least the same should be possible for animal shelters. Instead, we are left to fend for ourselves. If artificial turf is more important than the lives of dogs and cats, and there is no discernible political will to provide support, then the courts must enforce it.”
The constitutional goal of animal welfare in the Basic Law specifically obligates the federal government to take the protection of animals into account in all government decisions. According to the complaint filed by the German Animal Welfare Federation, this applies in particular to decisions involving balancing of interests, such as the drafting of the budget.
Note to the Editors:
We would be happy to provide you with further information about the lawsuit and the situation at animal shelters upon request.
The German Animal Welfare Federation is offering a background briefing on the lawsuit to all interested media outlets today in Berlin. The briefing will provide an opportunity for an in-depth analysis of the lawsuit, its political context, and the challenges of practical animal welfare. There will be time for individual questions and for recording on-the-record comments.
Date: Thursday, May 21, 2026, 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Location: German Animal Welfare Federation’s Berlin Office, Reinhardtstraße 47, 10117 Berlin
Your contacts:
Thomas Schröder, President of the German Animal Welfare Federation
Evelyn Ofensberger, Attorney, Legal Department of the German Animal Welfare Federation
Please register by emailing presse@tierschutzbund.de.
