August 4, 2025, 12:58 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
As recently as June, Ariane Kari spoke with PETBOOK about her hopes—today it’s clear: Her term as the first federal animal welfare commissioner is ending. This means that animal welfare in Germany is losing not only its most prominent but also its most independent voice at the federal level. PETBOOK editor Louisa Stoeffler is appalled.
A Voice for the Animals–Silenced
For a long time, the position of the federal animal welfare commissioner, newly created under the coalition government, was in limbo after the government breakup. PETBOOK reported early on the tug-of-war over a possible extension. Kari herself was cautiously optimistic in a conversation with our editorial team: “Of course, such an uncertain situation is not easy,” she said at the time.
Now it’s clear: Ariane Kari will not be allowed to continue her work. What will happen with the office of the first federal animal welfare commissioner remains uncertain. The voice that Kari was able to give to the animals for over two years—silenced.
Politics Without a Plan?
With calm determination and deep expertise, Ariane Kari has achieved a lot over the past two years. As the first federal animal welfare commissioner, she had no easy task—there was no precedent, no blueprint, no guaranteed future. Yet she used her position to do what had often been lacking: to represent animal welfare in a scientifically sound, nonpartisan, and practical manner. The impression associated with her departure is all the more bitter.
Because today, on August 4, 2025, it is now clear: The decision has been made. Kari is not allowed to continue. In a brief statement, she shared:
“The ongoing political debate about my position has concluded today. Just a few hours ago, I received the notification that I will not continue to hold the office of the federal animal welfare commissioner in this legislative period.”
What will happen with the office itself is unclear. The Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Consumer Protection (BMLEH) intends to comment “in due course,” as stated in the press release about the end of the federal animal welfare commissioner. A signal of planning security sounds different. Despite her departure, Ariane Kari showed a fighting spirit in her farewell statement:
“I also want to assure you that I will continue to advocate for the protection and preservation of the rights of our animal fellow creatures.”
That is comforting—and bitter at the same time. Because it shows that it apparently did not fail due to commitment or competence.
Animal Welfare Is Not a Party Program
Ariane Kari was nonpartisan. For her, animal welfare was not an ideological project but a state goal—legally anchored in the Basic Law, but often politically underfunded, emotionally instrumentalized, or simply ignored.
Whether it was expertise certificates for dog owners, legally anchored animal welfare education, a new testing procedure for animal welfare-compliant housing systems, or a consistent approach against breeding for defects, Kari had initiated many concrete projects. What will become of them is uncertain.
German Federal Animal Welfare Commissioner: ‘The best law doesn’t help if it’s not being implemented’
Sweet and Overbred–Why Harmful Breeding Practices Are Gaining Public Attention
“Kari’s Departure Is Like an Earthquake in Animal Welfare Politics”
“The fact that Ariane Kari’s contract as federal animal welfare commissioner is not being extended is akin to an earthquake in animal welfare politics,” commented Thomas Schröder, president of the Animal Welfare Association, in a statement.
“We deeply regret this personnel decision! Ariane Kari filled the position both professionally and politically very well. It is a shame that Federal Minister Rainer is not retaining this expertise.” Schröder further commented that it remains to be seen whether Federal Minister Rainer will show political courage in filling the position or choose a politically agreeable person.
“One thing is certain: With this decision, the federal minister has lost trust among animal welfare advocates. The animal welfare community is not a fringe group but represents large parts of society. Rainer would be well advised to take the concerns of animal welfare seriously.”
A Final Comment
With the end of Ariane Kari’s role as federal animal welfare commissioner, more is lost than just a position. An idea of what modern, professionally supported animal welfare policy in Germany can look like is lost. It is an attempt to finally turn pure symbolic politics into substance.
PETBOOK will continue to critically monitor whether and how the office will be continued. And we ask ourselves—together with many animal welfare advocates, veterinarians, and citizens: Who will speak for the animals now?