On World Animal Day on October 4, the German Animal Welfare Federation reminds the federal government to fulfill its constitutional duty and finally take animal welfare seriously as a national goal. Under this year's motto, “Animal welfare is the government's duty,” the association calls for the promises laid down in the coalition agreement to be fulfilled without delay and for the government to take a strong stand on animal welfare.
“Neither the promised support for animal shelters nor the announced funds for the restructuring of agricultural animal husbandry are included in the federal budget. This is a damning indictment of the federal government. If not even the few animal welfare promises in the coalition agreement are implemented, we are facing bleak years for animal welfare under the CDU/CSU and SPD,” criticizes Thomas Schröder, president of the German Animal Welfare Federation.
In addition to investments in animal shelters and the transformation of agricultural animal husbandry, the German Animal Welfare Federation also sees a particular need for cat protection: a nationwide mandatory neutering requirement for outdoor cats would prevent uncontrolled reproduction, thereby reducing the suffering of millions of stray cats and relieving the burden on animal shelters. Equally necessary is a ban on cruel animal transports to third countries and the continuation of the strategy to reduce animal testing while promoting alternatives that do not cause animal suffering. "The state goal of animal welfare, enshrined in the Basic Law, is the responsibility of every party, but currently especially the CDU/CSU and SPD. We expect the federal government to live up to its responsibility. It must offer more than a few empty promises. Effective animal welfare requires decisive action now," Schröder demands.
World Animal Day dates back to St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, who was canonized on October 4, 1228. Every year, animal rights activists around the world use this day to draw attention to the suffering inflicted on animals by humans. The German Animal Welfare Association gives the day of action a different theme each year – this year's theme is “Animal welfare is the government's responsibility.”
