The Hidden Struggles of Animal Welfare

Visitors to our sanctuary see dogs racing around the grounds, full of joy despite their disabilities. They meet animals that have found safety and security, and people who care for them with extraordinary dedication.

These are heart-warming images, and they tell an important part of our story.

But only one part.

What visitors do not see are the difficult decisions, the sleepless nights and the many animals we are unable to help. The conversations with desperate pet owners. The worry about critically ill animals. The emotional strain on our staff. And sometimes, the doubts about whether we are truly doing the right thing.

Animal welfare is not always uplifting. It is not always fair. And by no means does every story have a happy ending.

We, too, reach our limits. We have to make decisions that are painful, and we face situations for which there is no truly good solution.
We want to talk about this.

Not to seek sympathy. Not to accuse anyone. But because we believe that honest animal welfare work also means asking uncomfortable questions—and critically examining our own work.

On these pages, we therefore also share the stories that often remain untold.

Stories of responsibility and overwhelm. Of compassion and its limits. Of decisions between life and death. And of the question of what we, as a society, truly owe our animals.

We do not have all the answers.

But we want to reflect on these questions—and invite others to join the conversation. In our blog posts, we speak openly about this “other side” of animal welfare.
Write to us, talk to us, visit us and share your point of view. We look forward to hearing from you.