Animal Protection Denmark is an organisation that engages in animal welfare at national, European and international levels through project collaboration and networking, involving our political, fundraising and communications work.
Animal Protection Denmark has an ambition to be among the most influential animal welfare organisations, which, through international cooperation, creates tangible results for animal welfare in line with our vision of ensuring a respectful and sustainable relationship between animals, humans and nature.
Overall, our internationalization follows two main tracks: projects and networking, which also intersect and are translated into different areas of action.
WE'VE BEEN HERE A WHILE
Projects based on cooperation with local partners who provide direct assistance to animals in need or undertake other forms of animal welfare work (awareness or political campaigning, training/capacity building, etc.).
Networking in an international context to influence and promote the animal welfare agenda. We invest and engage in the networks we are part of, seeking to leave our mark as well as to ensure a line and synergy in our work at the various levels (local-national-regional-international). The priority networks are World Federation for Animals (WFA), Eurogroup for Animals (EfA) and Asia for Animals (AfA)
- Abandoned animals get a new start
- Animals have a voice in Danish, European and international politics
- Better knowledge of animals and their natural needs
- Good animal welfare is a natural part of sustainable food production
- Good animal welfare is based on the nature and species-specific needs of the animals
The overarching focus of our areas of action is the relationship between animals, people and nature, where the One Welfare concept provides a relevant framework for addressing global animal welfare issues. The concept covers a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to integrating animal welfare, human well-being and the environment with an end point of improving global welfare and achieving gains in development.
Embodied in this focus, we see the food system in a broad, global sense as a key issue and therefore also the area in which our political work has its primary focus. Similarly, we point to capacity building as a key to achieving tangible, lasting improvements in animal welfare. This will typically be our starting point in the concrete project interventions.
As mentioned above, projects and networking constitute our strategic starting point as areas of action. In addition, we give priority to zoos and sanctuaries as well as international trade as thematic areas of action where Animal Protection Denmark can make a difference.
EUROGROUP FOR ANIMALS
Animal Protection Denmark continues to have a strong commitment to cross-cutting European advocacy for improved animal welfare through the pan-European organisation Eurogroup for Animals. The organisation is the common voice for 70 animal welfare organisations across 24 countries. Animal Protection Denmark works with European colleagues to ensure better legislation, standards and enforcement in the field of animal welfare. This is done through joint lobbying and campaigning activities, where we are advocating for the interests of animals towards the European Parliamentarians. A number of Animal Protection Denmark’s staff are represented in various working groups under the auspices of Eurogroup for Animals, where the EU political lobbying efforts are qualified.
Read more about Eurogroup for Animals
NETWORK IN ASIA
In 2020, Animal Protection Denmark was approved as a full member of the Asia for Animals Coalition. The coalition now consists of 23 animal welfare organisations working in Asia, as well as a wider network counting more than 300 member organisations with activities in Asia.
WORLD FEDERATION FOR ANIMALS
Animal Protection Denmark is one of the co-founders of World Federation for Animals, which also includes members from Africa, Asia and the United States, among others.
Joining forces, the 18 leading animal welfare organisations will bring animal welfare into the highest-level decision-making forums at the United Nations. As one of its first actions, World Federation for Animals will seek to influence decision-makers and opinion formers at the fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly. The session, which is called UNEA-5.1 and runs over several days, has as its theme "Strengthening Actions for Nature to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals".
As a long-term objective, World Federation for Animals will work towards having the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) extended by an SDG 18 for Animal Welfare. World Federation for Animals has representatives worldwide and offices in New York and Nairobi where headquarters of UN offices are also located.
The 18 founding members of World Federation for Animals represent animal welfare organisations from around the world, including Asia for Animals Coalition, Africa Network for Animal Welfare, Animals Australia, Gaia and Four Paws International.
MORE THAN WORDS
In early 2020, Denmark adopted a new animal welfare law. It replaced the more than 100-year-old Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. The new Animal Welfare Act has brought the legislation into the 21st century with a purpose clause that states what most of us have known for a long time: that all animals are sentient beings with natural needs and behaviours that must be taken into account, and that respect for animals must be promoted.
In other words, a historic law with many visions and ambitions. In the years leading up to its adoption, Animal Protection Denmark worked intensively to influence the law-making process to ensure that the end result would be as good as possible. And the adopted purpose clause is also ambitious:
AN UNSATISFACTORY PROCESS
Following the adoption of the framework law, our efforts are now focused on ensuring a strong implementation. Unfortunately, it is evident that the new purpose clause, which we are so enthusiastic about, has not, in the main, resulted in any significant substantive changes to the rules which have entered into force from 1 January 2021. Consequently, the purpose of the law appears to be quite symbolic. This is very unsatisfactory. Animal Protection Denmark continues unabashedly our efforts to ensure that the purpose clause will set a new and modern vision and thereby a direction and framework for future rules in this area.
NATIONAL HELP FOR ALL ANIMALS
Animal Protection Denmark runs 10 animal shelters and 30 wildlife care stations across Denmark, and the association is based on a large network of volunteers.
Animal Protection Denmark is a non-profit association founded in 1875 and financed mainly by private funds. Our work includes rescue and care for animals at local level across Denmark, divided into 13 districts. Here, our direct animal welfare work is managed by volunteer District Chairmen. In each district a number of volunteer Circle Chairmen and Assistants are also assigned to the animal rescue service.
In addition, the association currently has around 170 employed staff. However, a large network of volunteers working across the country has always been a central part of our DNA.
