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The best animal welfare organizations in comparison

The best animal welfare organizations in Germany and worldwide

Would you like to support an animal welfare organization? Then that's just great! Because, unfortunately, animal welfare is indispensable in our world and not just one of the most important measures in the fight against the Environmental problem of species extinction. Did you know, for example, that in Germany alone around 45 million chickens, 4 million pigs and 200,000 cattle die in vain every year because we throw away food of animal origin?₁ Or that Male chicks shredded or gassed because they have no value to the industry? And then there is the perverse hunting tourism or the illegal hunt for ivory, horn or fins.

Animal welfare is education for humanity - Albert Schweitzer already said that. His name also appears among the most important animal welfare organizations, which I would now like to introduce to you. Finally, I'll give you a few "animal welfare tips" for everyday life. Let's go!

Here is another short Table of contents for you:

Tip: Are you currently looking for a job in animal welfare? Then take a look here at the sustainable job portal for current vacancies with added value for you and the animal world.

Animal welfare organizations in Germany

Animal welfare organizations also advocate for foxes

First of all, I would like to introduce you to some great organizations that work for the welfare of animals "only" in Germany every day. You can support them in many ways.

Notice: I know that there are so many other great projects and organizations. But I can't describe them all here. If you have any other suggestions, please feel free to comment on this post. I will then include the organization in the article 🙂

German Animal Welfare Association

Animal welfare organization German Animal Welfare Association
Source: tierschutzbund.de

The German Animal Welfare Association is an association based in Bonn that has been committed to the common goal since 1881, that every animal can lead a species-appropriate life.₂ In the association, you can, for example, train to become an animal welfare teacher and pass on your knowledge. Even a simple donation can help the animal welfare association in its daily work. This includes, for example, protest actions in the fight against Animal testing.

German Animal Welfare Association in a Nutshell:

  • Organizational Form: GERMAN ANIMAL PROTECTION FEDERATION e.V.
  • Vision: Every animal should be able to lead a species-appropriate life.
  • Daily work: Among other things, animal welfare lessons, protest campaigns, educational work.₃
  • Animal species: Use for pets, farm animals, wild animals, laboratory animals, entertainment animals.
  • Support: For example, through animal sponsorships, sponsoring memberships or donations: Here you can find the donation form.

Albert Schweitzer Foundation

Albert Schweitzer Foundation for Animal Welfare
Source: albert-schweitzer-stiftung.de

The Albert Schweitzer Foundation is a German NGO based in Berlin. Founded in 2000, the foundation's vision is to long-term abolition of factory farming and the spread of the vegan lifestyle.₄ Every day, the supporting members campaign, for example, for the protection of chickens in fattening farms or against dubious meat studies. Citizens' initiatives are also launched.

Albert Schweitzer Foundation in a Nutshell:

  • Organizational Form: Non-governmental organization (NGO)
  • Vision: Abolition of the Factory farming and spread of the vegan lifestyle.₅
  • Daily work: Vegan Taste Week's, campaign work, food progress.
  • Animal species: Used primarily for livestock.
  • Support: For example, through petitions, supporting memberships or donations: Here you can find the donation form.

German Animal Welfare Office

Animal protection organization German Animal Welfare Office
Source: tierschutzbuero.de

Do you already know the German Animal Welfare Office? The association is based in Sankt Augustin in North Rhine-Westphalia and was founded in 2013. The German Animal Welfare Office gives animals a voice and fights every day against factory farming and fur farming in particular. Together, all those involved pursue the long-term goal of World in which all animals live in freedom with equal rights according to their needs can.₆

German Animal Welfare Office in a Nutshell:

  • Organizational Form: German Animal Welfare Office e.V.
  • Vision: A world in which all living beings and their natural habitats are respected.₇
  • Daily work: Exposing abuses in animal husbandry, establishing animal rights in our society.
  • Animal species: Used primarily for livestock.
  • Support: For example, by reporting observed Cruelty to animalsanimal sponsorships, supporting memberships or donations: Here you can find the donation form.

Action animal

Animal protection organization Aktion Tier e.V.
Source: aktiontier.org

The animal welfare organization Action animal has been campaigning for animal welfare since 1985. The association sees its task particularly in to take care of animals and naturally helps animals in need.₈ The members are actively involved in prevention measures and educational work in our society.

Action Animal in a Nutshell:

  • Organizational Form: aktion tier - menschen für tiere e.V.
  • Guiding Principle: Animal welfare does not start in the shelter, but in people's minds.₉
  • Daily work: Rescue of injured or mistreated animals, prevention measures and educational work.
  • Animal species: Used primarily for pets, farm animals and wild animals.
  • Support: For example, through a supporting membership or general donations: Here you can find the donation form.

Tip: Be sure to check out CareElite Wildlife Blog Germany over! There, my brother Stephan takes unique pictures of animals from Germany's wild nature. It's always good to know what's worth fighting for!

International animal welfare organizations active worldwide

Kangaroos also need animal welfare organizations

Now we move on to the animal protection and animal rights organizations that are not only active in Germany, but also worldwide. Here are the most important organizations and their areas of activity.

PETA

International animal rights organization PETA
Source: wikipedia.org

The international animal welfare organization PETA was founded in 1993 and is now the world's largest animal rights organization with over six and a half million supporters.₁₀ Work for animal welfare also began in Germany in 1994. Since then, the association for the detection of cruelty to animals, the education of our society and a more sustainable lifestyle a.

PETA in a Nutshell:

  • Organizational Form: PETA Deutschland e.V. / People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Inc.
  • Vision: The aim of the organization is to help every animal live a better life by exposing cruelty to animals, educating the public and changing lifestyles.₁₁
  • Daily work: For example, the establishment of animal rights, educational campaigns or protest actions.
  • Animal species: Use for pets, farm animals, wild animals, laboratory animals, entertainment animals.
  • Support: For example, by reporting observed animal cruelty, sponsoring memberships, petitions or general donations: Here you can find the donation form.

FOUR PAWS

International animal welfare organization FOUR PAWS
Source: wikipedia.org

The foundation FOUR PAWS is based in Hamburg and has been fighting for the protection of animals since 1988 - both in Germany and worldwide. Every day, those responsible dedicate themselves to educating our society. They pursue the goal of World in which people treat animals with respect, compassion and understanding.₁₂ You can also support the foundation as a volunteer. FOUR PAWS is one of the largest animal welfare organizations in the world.

FOUR PAWS in a Nutshell:

  • Organizational Form: Non-profit private foundation.
  • Vision: A world in which people treat animals with respect, compassion and understanding.₁₃
  • Daily work: Campaign, educational and lobbying work.
  • Animal species: Mainly used for pets, farm animals, wild animals and entertainment animals.
  • Support: For example, by volunteering, through a supporting membership, petitions or general donations: Here you can find the donation form.

IFAW

International animal welfare organization IFAW
Source: wikipedia.org

The IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) was originally founded in 1969 to end the commercial hunting of young harp seals on Canada's east coast. Today, the organization fights internationally for the rights and protection of domestic, farm and wild animals. The German branch of the animal welfare organization is based in Hamburg. For those responsible, every single animal counts.₁₄ You can support the organization both professionally and privately through petitions or financial donations.

IFAW in a Nutshell:

  • Organizational Form: Internationaler Tierschutz-Fonds gGmbH.
  • Conviction: Every single animal counts for us.₁₅
  • Daily work: For example, vaccinating wild dogs, rescuing, caring for and releasing injured animals, or patrolling national parks.
  • Animal species: Used primarily for pets, farm animals and wild animals.
  • Support: For example, as an intern, through petitions or general donations: Here you can find the donation form.

WWF

Animal welfare organization WWF
Source: wwf.de

The WWF (World Wide Fund For Nature) is a globally active and well-known nature conservation organization that is particularly committed to the protection of animals. Around five million supporters worldwide support the foundation₁₆₆ in the global goal of preserving biological diversity.₁₇

In addition to professional and voluntary activities, you can support the WWF by sponsoring animals such as monkeys, bears or birds. Read my interview with Dr. Bernhard Bauske from WWF through to gain further insight into the work of the organization.

WWF in a Nutshell:

  • Organizational Form: Foundation, NGO.
  • MISSION: Conservation of biodiversity -
    a living planet for us and our children.₁₈
  • Daily work: For example, ghost net projects to protect marine animals, educational work for a more conscious lifestyle in our society or water projects in the Serengeti.
  • Animal species: Used primarily for livestock and wild animals.
  • Support: For example, as an employee, through petitions, a supporting membership or general donations: Here you can find the donation form.

Sea Shepherd

Animal welfare organization Sea Shepherd
Source: wikipedia.org

Sea Shepherd is an animal welfare organization for the protection of marine wildlife. The association was founded back in 1977 with the aim of protecting marine wildlife, to put an end to the destruction of habitats and the slaughter of animals.₁₉ Of course, you can also help this animal welfare organization by making a donation or providing active support at sea or on land.

Sea Shepherd in a Nutshell:

  • Organizational Form: Sea Shepherd Germany e.V.
  • MISSION: End the destruction of habitats and the slaughter of animals in the world's oceans in order to sustainably protect and preserve ecosystems and species.₂₀
  • Daily work: For example Beach CleanUps, lectures and protest actions.
  • Animal species: Used primarily for marine species.
  • Support: For example, as an employee at sea or at trade fairs, through petitions, a supporting membership or general donations: Here you can find the donation form.

Notice: Although I am naming the largest organizations for the protection of animals here, every dedicated animal shelter and every private report of animal cruelty is already doing incredibly important work! Don't let that be forgotten here. You might also like to take a look at These Inspirational Animal Welfare Quotes.

Animal welfare organizations always need support!

It's just wonderful that you want to get more involved in animal welfare - because the organizations and especially the animals need your help. Animals have feelings like fear or pity, they show emotions. They are living beings like you and me and are not here to entertain us, nor to serve us as food. They are also not in this world for experiments, clothing or general mistreatment by humans.

Here are a few more Things that you can do in everyday life you can do for (wild) animal welfare:

  • Clothes: The Fast Fashion poisons rivers and causes many animals to suffer. Whether for leather or Fur. Just do without it in everyday life.
  • Wood: The Deforestation of the forests reduces the natural protection of thousands of animals and deprives them of their livelihood. So avoid using barbecue charcoal and furniture made from tropical wood in your everyday life. Also the Save paper worth it!
  • Food: Avoid palm oil in your food - it is also responsible for the decline of the rainforests. You can also reduce your personal Reduce food waste and become a vegetarian or, in the best case, eat a vegan diet.
  • Zero Waste: Try to produce as little waste as possible so that natural resources are preserved and no waste is released into the environment. You can start, for example, with your living as plastic-free as possible.
  • Do you have any other tips or ideas? Then feel free to leave a comment.

I hope that in this article you have found a suitable animal welfare organization that you will support. Whether you donate, spread the word, educate, lend a hand or just give a pat. How you treat animals really says so much about you.

With this in mind - stay sustainable,

Christoph from CareElite - Plastic-free living

PS: Take a look at the article about the Sustainable gardening! Because even with a garden full of life, you can do something in everyday life to ensure that animals have ideal living conditions. From earthworms to swifts.

References:
₁ Westdeutscher Rundfunk Köln: Tons of food in the bin? That sucks! https://www1.wdr.de/verbraucher/ernaehrung/rewind-lebensmittelverschwendung-100.html. [07.10.2019].

₂,₃ DEUTSCHER TIERSCHUTZBUND e.V.: Background. https://www.tierschutzbund.de/information/hintergrund. [21.10.2019].

₄,₅ Albert Schweitzer Stiftung für unsere Mitwelt: Vision and strategy. https://albert-schweitzer-stiftung.de/ueber-uns/vision-strategie. [21.10.2019].

₆,₇ Deutsches Tierschutzbüro e.V.: Self-presentation. https://www.tierschutzbuero.de/selbstdarstellung. [21.10.2019].

₈,₉ aktion tier - menschen für tiere e.V.: aktion tier - menschen für tiere e.V. https://www.aktiontier.org/ueber-uns/aktion-tier-ev. [21.10.2019].

₁₀,₁₁ PETA Deutschland e.V.: About PETA Deutschland e.V. https://www.peta.de/ueberpeta. [21.10.2019].

₁₂,₁₃ FOUR PAWS - Foundation for Animal Welfare: VISION, MISSION & PHILOSOPHY. https://www.vier-pfoten.de/ueber-uns/vision. [21.10.2019].

₁₄,₁₅ Internationaler Tierschutz-Fonds gGmbH: Animals and people - together we grow. https://www.ifaw.org/de/uber. [21.10.2019].

₁₆ WWF Germany: WORKING FOR NATURE FOR OVER 50 YEARS. https://www.wwf.de/ueber-uns. [21.10.2019].

₁₇,₁₈ WWF Germany: Our mission statement. https://www.wwf.de/ueber-uns/unser-leitbild/. [21.10.2019].

₁₉,₂₀ Sea Shepherd Deutschland e.V.: Sea Shepherd's mission. https://sea-shepherd.de/about. [21.10.2019].

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* Links with asterisks are so-called Affiliate linksIf you click on it and buy something, you automatically and actively support my work with CareElite.de, as I receive a small share of the proceeds - and of course nothing changes in the product price. Many thanks for your support and best regards, Christoph!

Christoph Schulz

Christoph Schulz

I'm Christoph, an environmental scientist and author - and here at CareElite I'm campaigning against plastic waste in the environment, climate change and all the other major environmental problems of our time. Together with other environmentally conscious bloggers, I want to give you tips & tricks for a naturally healthy, sustainable life as well as your personal development.

4 thoughts on “Die besten Tierschutzorganisationen in Deutschland und weltweit”

  1. Here are some more excellent and reputable animal rights organizations: SOKO Tierschutz, ARIWA, Animal Equality and Tierretter.de. These do great work, including exposing animal cruelty in "farm animal" husbandry.

  2. I would like to know, from your point of view, if the World Animal Protection Organization is serious. Would need to know urgently, because I would like to give away a donkey sponsorship for Christmas.

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