A recent survey by Humane World for Animals indicates that 73.9% of people in Germany support integrating animal welfare into the school curriculum. This finding coincides with the beginning of the new school year and comes from the first Humane World for Animals Animal Welfare Barometer 2026, which surveyed over 1,500 individuals across the country.
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Support for humane education is particularly strong among respondents aged 30 to 49, where 78.8% agree it should be taught in schools. This demographic likely includes many parents of school-age children, reflecting a public desire to teach respect, compassion, and ethical responsibilities toward animals. Sylvie Kremerskothen Gleason, country director of Humane World for Animals Germany, emphasized the importance of educating children about animal needs and responsibilities to foster a more empathetic future.
The survey also highlighted that 61.6% of households with children have companion animals, translating to approximately 7.3 million households in Germany. In contrast, only 39.7% of households without children have pets, indicating a significant difference in pet ownership between these groups.
Among households with children, dogs are the most popular pets, with 56.9% reporting dog ownership, slightly ahead of the 53.9% who have cats. Kremerskothen Gleason reiterated the need for schools to promote a sense of responsibility towards animals based on this familiarity.
As the school year begins, Humane World for Animals suggests ways to teach animal welfare at home: observing animals and discussing their needs, involving children in pet care, visiting animal shelters, discussing current stories about animals, and fostering empathy by encouraging questions about what animals need for a good life.
Humane World for Animals also points to its initiatives in Romania, where programs like "One Hour With and About Animals" have been implemented in schools. This program teaches responsible animal guardianship and the importance of animal protection laws to fifth and sixth graders.
In July, Humane World for Animals Germany launched the Mandate for Animals campaign and petition due to a perceived government performance gap on animal welfare issues. The survey revealed that two-thirds of respondents are dissatisfied with the government's current actions and advocate for stronger commitments and reforms aimed at improving animal welfare.