Under the motto "Animal welfare with heart and mind", the German Animal Welfare Association has been fighting for the protection of animals in agriculture since 1881, campaigning against animal testing and supporting practical animal welfare work. Nationally, internationally and politically at federal and EU level.

The vision is a society that respects all animals as fellow creatures, shows them compassion and respect and protects them from unnecessary suffering, pain and fear.

As an umbrella organisation, the German Animal Welfare Association now has 16 regional associations and around 740 animal welfare associations with over 550 animal shelters and rescue centres. This makes it Europe's largest animal and nature conservation umbrella organisation. It represents the interests of more than 800,000 animal welfare activists from all parts of Germany.

Animal shelters help, but are also dependent on help themselves. The German Animal Welfare Association supports affiliated organisations when, for example, many animals from animal hoarding cases or sick puppies from illegal trade need to be cared for at once, but also when there is a lack of money for urgent renovations.

Only together can we create a better world for animals.