Animal welfare

This will take you to the relevant specialist information:  Used animals and horses   Homes and wildlife

For individual animals, brochures are available with key regulations:   

The permanent keeping of cattle, sheep, goats, horses and also pigs outdoors largely meets the natural needs of the animals. They live in the group, can live out their social behavior, are sufficiently in movement and can take their feed as a rule from the pasture, i.e. largely naturally.

However, it is part of the general animal husbandry regulations that the animal owner must provide accommodation for animals that cannot adapt to the climatic conditions.

Animal owners are therefore required to protect their animals from extreme climatic conditions so that their adaptability is not overwhelmed. Extreme climatic conditions are present in weather periods that are characterized by either heat and strong sunlight or cold in combination with wetness and wind.

Importantly, artificial shelter must be provided at all times from December 01 to February 28, except on days and nights with dry weather.

Castration of calves, piglets, lambs of sheep and goats, and dehorning of young animals are among the painful procedures performed on animals. They require appropriate analgesia. Animal owners who want to dehorn or castrate their young animals themselves must complete a training course.

The specific regulations can be found in the specialized information.

Animal owners must care for their animals properly in each case and regularly check the condition of the animals. They are responsible for ensuring that sick or injured animals are immediately housed, cared for and treated by a veterinarian in accordance with their condition. 

If animals have to be killed, this must always be done professionally. This applies not only when slaughtering, but also when a sick or injured animal must be killed to limit suffering.

Criteria for professional killing

The method chosen must be animal welfare compliant and safe. This means:

• The method must result in loss of consciousness immediately.
• The loss of consciousness must last until death occurs.
• The method must have a minimized risk of false stunning.
• The chosen method of killing must safely result in the death of the animal.
• The killing process must be monitored until death occurs.

Gentle conditions must be observed. This means:

• The killing must be carried out without fear, stress or pain.
• The killing must be carried out without delay.
• The killing must be carried out by a competent person*.

*According to the Tierschutzverordnung such persons are considered to be competent, who have been able to acquire the necessary knowledge and practical experience with the killing of an animal under expert guidance and supervision and who regularly kill animals.

Prohibited Methods

Animals may not be killed in an agonizing manner. Methods that cause a slow death, at most associated with pain or fear, are prohibited. Animals may thus not be drowned, suffocated or deep-frozen. Methods in which the above-mentioned criteria for professional killing are not met are inadmissible.

Killing methods are also prohibited if there is a risk that no immediate loss of consciousness will occur or the method does not safely result in death. 

Nonprofessional persons may not kill animals. They must contact a veterinary practice.

Specialist Information - Skilled Killing