BERLIN – Nearly three quarters (73.9%) of people in Germany believe that animal welfare should be part of the school curriculum. Humane World for Animals (formerly called Humane Society International) is sharing these findings to coincide with the start of the new school year across Germany. The results come from the first Humane World for Animals Animal Welfare Barometer 2026, a representative survey of more than 1,500 people in Germany.
Among 30 to 49-year-olds, who are likely to include many parents of school-age children, support for humane education rises to 78.8%, meaning almost eight in ten respondents in this age group agree. For the animal protection organization, these findings reflect a clear public desire to teach respect, compassion and ethical responsibility towards animals from an early age and to help foster a more compassionate generation.
“For millions of children in Germany, animals are a natural part of everyday life. That makes it even more important for young people to learn early on about animals’ needs and the responsibilities we have towards them. Humane education does more than teach children about animals. It also helps build empathy, a sense of responsibility and respect for others. The fact that almost three quarters of people in Germany want animal welfare to be taught in schools shows how widely society supports this educational mission,” said Sylvie Kremerskothen Gleason, country director of Humane World for Animals Germany.
7.3 million households with children live with companion animals
The Animal Welfare Barometer 2026 also highlights how present animals are in the everyday lives of many children and families. According to the survey, 61.6% of households with children have companion animals. Extrapolated nationwide, that equates to around 7.3 million households in Germany. By comparison, only 39.7% of households without children have animal companions, a difference of 21.9 percentage points.
Dogs and cats are the most popular companion animals among households with children. While cats are the most common companion animal nationwide, with 53.5% of surveyed companion animal guardians having a cat and 48.3% a dog, dogs clearly take first place in households with children. Some 56.9% report having a dog, compared with 53.9% who have a cat.
“Children grow up with animals. That is why people want schools to teach responsibility towards animals as well,” added Kremerskothen Gleason.
Five simple ways to teach animal welfare in everyday life
As the new school year begins, Humane World for Animals encourages families to explore animal welfare beyond the classroom:
- Observe animals and talk about their needs.
- Involve children in caring for companion animals in age-appropriate ways.
- Visit animal sheltersand wildlife rehabilitation centres, and volunteer for animal protection projects and causes.
- Discuss current news stories or other stories about animals together.
- Encourage empathy by asking: “What does this animal need for a good life?”
Romania leads by example: “One Hour With and About Animals”
The work of Humane World for Animals in Romania also demonstrates how humane education can contribute to long-term social change. There, the organization works with public authorities and educational institutions to develop educational program for schools.
One example is the program One Hour With and About Animals, offered to fifth and sixth grade students in schools across the Ilfov region surrounding Bucharest. The curriculum covers topics such as responsible animal guardianship, safe interactions with animals, animal welfare and the importance of animal protection laws. The program aims to increase knowledge, reduce prejudice and help prevent animal suffering and the abandonment of companion animals over the long term.
In early July, Humane World for Animals Germany launched the Mandate for Animals campaign and petition. The Animal Welfare Barometer 2026 clearly revealed a government performance gap on animal welfare in Germany. Two thirds of respondents are dissatisfied with the government’s current approach to animal welfare and expect stronger commitment, structural reforms, tougher laws and greater transparency for the benefit of animals.
Through the Mandate for Animals petition, the organization is calling on the German federal government to take citizens’ concerns seriously and turn them into meaningful action.
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