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Our Impact

We are creating that world through engagement with the European Commission, the European Parliament and the 27 EU member states. We also collaborate with many non-governmental organizations, corporations, animal advocates and more.

21

European countries have banned fur farming

5,000

cats and dogs in Romania received care (including spay/neuter, food and other services) from us in 2024 alone

1.2
million

EU citizens signed a petition demanding a Europe without animal testing

What we are working on

We envision a world without animal cruelty, where humans and animals live in harmony. We are focusing our efforts in the European Union on a few key areas.

Mink on a fur farm

Jo-Anne McArthur/We Animals

Ban fur farming and sales

In 2023, we helped create and deliver a petition with more than 1.5 million signatures asking the European Commission to ban fur farming and sales, and we’re lobbying the Commission to propose an EU-wide ban on fur production.

rabbits getting cosmetic tested

Siqui Sanchez/Getty Images

Phase out testing and research on animals

Each year, more than 10 million animals are used across Europe for research and testing. With the support of collaborators and the many Europeans asking for change, we’re pushing the EU to phase out all laboratory use of animals and rely on more modern, human-relevant science.

Wolf head and skins at Dallas Safari Club Convention 2020

The HSUS

Ban imports of hunting trophies

We are also campaigning for bans on the import of hunting trophies into EU member states and collaborating with the transportation industry to prohibit the transport of hunting trophies. And we’re combating wildlife trafficking, providing resources for animals in underserved communities, helping animals in Ukraine and more. 

Rows of white chickens in multi-tiered cages inside a large, industrial farm building

S. Chakrabarti

S. Chakrabarti/We Animals Media

End caged confinement of farm animals

Around 40% of the EU’s 397 million laying hens are still confined to enriched cages, and while Austria, Denmark and Luxembourg have phased out cage systems, egg-laying hens in other countries still suffer in cages. We’re urging the European Commission to fulfill its promise to share legislative proposals to end caged confinement.

Take Action

Help make a difference for animals in Europe and around the world. 

Stop fur farming in Europe

The evidence is clear, the moral case undeniable and EU citizens overwhelmingly demand change.

Latest News

France commits to end imports of hunting trophies from threatened species

BRUSSELS, Belgium—Humane World for Animals Europe (previously called Humane Society International Europe) welcomes today’s announcement by the French Government that it will end imports of hunting

Germany |Europe
Humane World for Animals objects the exemption for Russian sable fur pelts under EU sanctions list

BRUSSELS - The European Commission has decided to remove Russian sable fur pelts from the list of items banned from trade under the EU sanctions list, which was introduced to limit Russia’s ability to

Europe |Germany
Humane World for Animals welcomes Italy’s provisions for funding care and custody of dogs rescued from dogfighting

ROME, Italy—There is good news for dogs rescued from dogfighting and for the organizations that care for them, in the form of a commitment to fund the costs of the animals’ care and custody. The

Italy |Europe

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Photo by Volodymyr Burdiak/Alamy Stock Photo/