Pro Animale

What Pro Animale does

Pro Animale für Tiere in Not e.V. is a registered nonprofit animal welfare organization (eingetragener Verein) founded in 1985 by Johanna Wothke and headquartered in Schweinfurt, Germany. The organization operates 30 animal welfare facilities across six countries — Germany, Austria, Poland, Italy, Ireland, and Turkey — housing over 3,600 rescued animals across species including dogs, cats, horses, cattle, sheep, goats, donkeys, pigs, raccoons, birds, and camels. The portfolio spans 30 named sanctuaries (Keimzelle, Rendez-vous mit Tieren, Fellosophie, Copernika, Yasam Vadisi, Sorriso di San Francesco, etc.) plus targeted programs including a chain dog welfare program in Poland (726 refuges built since 1996), castration clinics in Turkey and historically Russia (44,000+ operations), the Memento memorial site in Poland, and a city pigeon project in Schweinfurt. The organization's proprietary Pro Animale Hundeleben concept defines a group-based, species-appropriate dog housing standard applied across all dog facilities.

The business model is direct-to-consumer nonprofit fundraising. Revenue is generated from four streams: inheritances and bequests (48% of revenue, the largest source), membership fees and donations (30%), animal and project sponsorships (19%), and charity shop / other revenue (3%). Donor engagement is multi-tiered: one-time donations, monthly animal sponsorships (€10-€120/month by species), Sterntaler project sponsorships (from €5/month), annual memberships (from €15/year), court-ordered fines (Geldauflagen), corporate giving, occasion-based donations, gift certificates (from €50), and testamentary bequests. The organization has 52 employees plus a large volunteer base contributing approximately 1,650 voluntary hours annually at the board level, and runs with a 6.6% administrative cost ratio, directing 93.4% of income to animal care. Distribution is via direct operations at facilities, four adoption stations (three German, one Austrian), and a single physical charity shop in Worms. The Swiss subsidiary Stiftung Pro Animale Schweiz operates independently.

Name

Pro Animale

Legal name

Pro Animale für Tiere in Not e.V.

Website

https://pro-animale.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Pro Animale für Tiere in Not e.V. is a German nonprofit founded in 1985 that operates 30 animal welfare facilities across six countries, housing over 3,600 rescued animals via donations, sponsorships, bequests, and memberships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal Welfare & Rescue Services

NAICS

Veterinary Services (54194), Support Activities for Animal Production (1152)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Animal Shelters & Adoption Services (BPAGAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Animal Shelters & Rescue Operations (AFAEALAB), Animal Cruelty Prevention, Investigation & Humane Law Enforcement (BPAGAIAG), Veterinary Public Health, Biosecurity & Disease Control Services (AFAEANAI), Education & Community Outreach (Responsible Pet Ownership) (BPAGAIAK)

Keywords

• Animal rescue services
• Animal welfare sanctuary
• Animal adoption services
• Nonprofit charitable organization
• Animal sponsorship programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Bad Staffelstein-Uetzing

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Inheritances and Legacies: 48% of total revenue comes from inheritances and legacies. This is the single largest revenue stream and is described as fundamental to the organization's sustainability given its long-term commitment to rescued animals.
2. Membership Fees and Donations: 30% of total revenue comes from membership fees and donations. Supporters can give one-time or recurring donations.
3. Sponsorships (Patenschaften) and Sterntaler: 19% of total revenue comes from animal sponsorships (Patenschaften) and project sponsorships (Sterntaler). Monthly contributions support specific animals or facilities/programs.
4. Charity Shop and Other Revenue: 3% of total revenue comes from the charity shop and other sources such as corporate donations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Pro Animale is a German nonprofit animal welfare organization that operates 30 animal sanctuaries across six countries (Germany, Austria, Poland, Italy, Ireland and Turkey) housing over 3,600 rescued animals for life. Its core service is rescuing animals from neglect, exploitation, slaughter and abandonment; providing permanent species-appropriate care; rehoming dogs and cats through adoption stations; and running preventive programs such as the chain-dog program and sterilization clinics since 1993.

Product overview

Pro Animale für Tiere in Not e.V. is a nonprofit animal welfare organization (founded 1985, headquartered in Schweinfurt, Germany) that operates 30 animal protection facilities across Germany, Austria, Poland, Italy, Ireland, and Turkey, housing over 3,600 rescued animals. The organization functions as both an animal rescue charity and a charitable giving platform. Its core product is the integrated Animal Rescue and Care Service — a comprehensive system encompassing animal rescue from neglect and slaughterhouse trade, lifelong sanctuary housing in species-appropriate facilities, and animal adoption services. The organization's proprietary dog housing methodology, Pro Animale Hundeleben, defines group-based housing standards across all dog facilities. Supplementary programs include castration/street animal management programs (Kastrationsprogramme, active since 1993), the chain dog welfare program (Kettenhundeprogramm, since 1996), and an urban pigeon project (Stadttaubenprojekt Holubka, since 2022). The charitable giving portfolio includes: monetary donations (Geldspenden via Twingle, betterplace, bcause platforms), individual animal sponsorships (Tierpatenschaft, €10–€100/month by species), project sponsorships (Sterntaler, from €5/month), annual membership (Mitgliedschaft, from €15/year), legacy bequests (Testament/Erbschaft, contributing ~48% of revenue), corporate giving (Unternehmensspende/Firmenpatenschaft), occasion-based donations (Anlassspenden), gift certificates (Tierschutz verschenken, from €50), court-ordered charitable fines (Geldauflagen), and a physical charity shop. The organization publishes the quarterly journal 'Der Tropfen' for members and operates the world's only memorial dedicated to animal suffering (Memento) in Poland.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Pro Animale Hundeleben: The organization's pioneering concept for alternative dog housing in shelter-like facilities, emphasizing group housing, adequate living spaces, and species-appropriate care for dogs.
• Keimzelle
• Rendez-vous mit Tieren
• Fellosophie
• Dietas neues Nest
• Alma Mater
• Stadttaubenprogramm Holubka
• Waschbärrefugium Wo die wilden Kerle wohnen
• Pastorale
• Fallada
• Spartacus
• Sussita Kumi
• Samaria I
• Samaria II
• Karpno
• Kolebka Słońca
• Copernika
• MEMENTO
• Schafhof bei Memento
• Doris Zinn-Herberge
• Delicia Natural
• Sorriso di San Francesco
• Avalon
• Lifeline for Irish Horses
• Kastrationsklinik Altinoluk
• Katzenvilla in Altinoluk
• Yasam Vadisi
• Esek Adasi
• Kettenhundeprogramm
• Der Tropfen
• Sterntaler
• Charity Shop

Products and services

• Animal Rescue and Care Services Core animal welfare service that rescues animals from neglect, exploitation, abuse, and slaughterhouse trade, and provides lifelong species-appropriate sanctuary care across 30 facilities in Germany, Austria, Poland, Italy, Ireland and Turkey. Over 3,600 animals under care as of April 2026.
• Pro Animale Hundeleben (Alternative Dog Housing Concept) Proprietary group-housing methodology used at all Pro Animale dog sanctuaries, with dogs living in managed social groups of 2–20 individuals, structured daily schedules, indoor/outdoor spaces, rotating access to spacious enclosures, and continuous human supervision — contrasting with traditional cage-based shelter housing.
• Kettenhundeprogramm (Chain Dog Program) Welfare program for chained dogs in rural northern Poland, building individual refugia for dogs kept permanently on chains and providing daily care. To date 726 refugia built, ~310 dogs in 280 refugia under daily care.
• Castration Programs (Kastrationsprogramme) Mobile and fixed-clinic sterilization programs for street animals, including routine vaccinations and ear-mark registration. Includes the Moscow clinic (1993–2011, 44,000+ operations) and the Kastrationsklinik Altinoluk in Turkey.
• Animal Adoption Service (Tiervermittlung) Adoption and placement service for rescued dogs and cats from four adoption stations (Keimzelle, Rendez-vous mit Tieren, Fellosophie, Pastorale). Includes consultation, meet-and-greet, self-disclosure form, pre-adoption home visit and €450 adoption protection fee covering veterinary care, vaccination, microchipping and spay/neuter, with a lifetime return guarantee.
• Stadttaubenprojekt 'Holubka' (Urban Pigeon Project) Urban pigeon management project in Schweinfurt, Germany, providing ethical population control and care for city pigeons.
• Tierpatenschaft (Animal Sponsorship) Recurring monthly sponsorship program for individual rescued animals. Partial sponsorships start at €10/month; full sponsorships vary by species (dogs €80/month, cats €50/month, horses €100–€120/month, sheep/goats €30/month, cattle €100/month, donkeys €80/month). Patrons receive a photo, rescue story, quarterly magazine and visit opportunities.
• Sterntaler (Project Sponsorship) Monthly project sponsorship program (from €5/month) where patrons choose a specific shelter or program (e.g., specific dog sanctuary, castration clinic, donkey island) to support, with direct debit billing and annual statements.
• Mitgliedschaft (Annual Membership) Annual membership program with minimum €15/year and voluntarily higher amounts. Members receive the quarterly journal 'Der Tropfen', invitations to the annual members' meeting, and can participate in organizational activities.
• Geldspenden (Monetary Donations) One-time and recurring monetary donations. Accepted via bank transfer, SEPA direct debit, PayPal, Google Pay and credit card through the Twingle embedded donation platform. Tax-deductible with annual donation receipts issued in February.
• Anlassspenden (Occasion Donations) Celebration-based giving program for events such as birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, openings and memorials. Pro Animale provides a customized donation set with greeting cards and informational materials for guests.
• Testamentary Giving / Bequest Services Legacy giving program allowing donors to include Pro Animale in their wills or estate plans. The organization provides a testamentary brochure, certified executor services, urn burial plots for single supporters in Schweinfurt, and accepts transfer of deceased supporters' pets into permanent care. Bequests account for ~48% of total revenue.
• Corporate Giving / Firmenpatenschaft Corporate donation and corporate godparent programs enabling businesses to support specific animals, animal groups, or welfare programs. Corporate sponsorships are tax-deductible as business expenses and serve CSR profiles; channel also includes the bcause platform.
• Gift Donations (Tierschutz verschenken) Gift donation program allowing donors to purchase donation certificates themed around specific animal species (dog, cat, horse, donkey, cattle, pig). Certificates are available in printed or digital format from a minimum of €50 and can be sent by email or postal mail.
• Geldauflagen (Court-Ordered Charitable Fines) Acceptance and management of court-ordered monetary penalties (Geldauflagen) directed by courts as an alternative to imprisonment or case dismissal. Listed with all German Oberlandesgerichte with funds held in a dedicated segregated account and reported to courts. All funds used exclusively for animal rescue operations per the charter.
• Charity Shop (Worms) Physical charity retail outlet located at the Fellosophie sanctuary in Worms, Germany, opened in 2019. Revenue from donated goods sales supports the organization's animal care operations.
• Der Tropfen (Quarterly Members' Magazine) Quarterly journal published by Pro Animale featuring animal rescue stories, sanctuary updates, educational content on animal ethics, and organizational news. Distributed to all members and available by subscription.
• MEMENTO Memorial Site and Memorial Services Memorial and commemorative services for deceased animals and human supporters, including the MEMENTO memorial site in Poland (the world's only memorial to animal suffering), urn burial plots for single supporters in Schweinfurt, and the Copernika 'Memory Tree' honoring testamentary donors.

Quantifiable outcome

• 93.4% of all income goes directly to animal rescue and care
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• BetterplaceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 23 June 2023Online donation platform used by Pro Animale for specific fundraising projects such as the bridge reconstruction after the Assisi flood disaster.
• bcauseminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDonation platform where Pro Animale is also represented for receiving donations.
• GoldeimerminorOthersToilet paper supplier used in facilities. Supports sustainable sanitation and access to toilets globally.
• bluuminorOthersSupplier of biodegradable, 100% plastic-free wash strips used for washing blankets and towels in all facilities.
• balloonyminorOthersProvider of high-quality vegan dry dog food. 80% of Pro Animale's dogs are fed with this vegan food, reducing the ecological footprint of the animals by 75%.
• Italian Government BodiesminorOthersVarious Italian government bodies including the National Emergency Commissioner in Perugia, civil protection of Umbria region, building authorities, water authorities, geological offices, and agricultural offices were involved in the permitting process for flood reconstruction.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves17 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Tierschutzverein München: Major municipal animal welfare organization operating one of Germany's largest animal shelters. Comparable in shelter operations, adoption services, donation-based funding, and German animal welfare regulation.
• Animals Asia: International sanctuary-based animal welfare organization focused on Asia (moon bears, cats, dogs). Closely comparable in sanctuary operating model, international donor base, and lifetime animal care commitment.
• Deutscher Tierschutzbund: Germany's largest umbrella animal welfare federation, operating affiliated shelters nationwide. Directly comparable in mission, German regulatory environment, donation-driven funding model, and shelter/sanctuary operations.
• The Donkey Sanctuary: UK-based international equine and donkey welfare charity operating sanctuaries across multiple countries. Directly comparable to Pro Animale's equine programs (Fallada, Spartacus, Samaria, Esek Adasi donkey island, Lifeline for Irish Horses) and international sanctuary network.
• TASSO e.V. Germany's largest pet registration and animal welfare database organization. Comparable in German nonprofit structure, animal welfare mission, and donor/member engagement model.
• Soi Dog Foundation: International street dog rescue and sterilization organization operating primarily in Thailand with international donor support. Highly comparable to Pro Animale's Altinoluk/Turkey sterilization and street dog programs in mission and operating model.
• Vier Pfoten International (Four Paws): Vienna-headquartered international animal welfare organization operating sanctuaries and campaigns across Europe and beyond. Closely comparable to Pro Animale in cross-border sanctuary operations, lifetime animal care commitments, and European donor base.
• Bund gegen Missbrauch der Tiere: German animal welfare foundation focused on preventing animal cruelty and supporting shelters. Comparable in German charitable structure, advocacy focus, and direct animal care funding.
• PETA Deutschland: German branch of the global animal rights organization, focused on advocacy, campaigns, and corporate engagement. Comparable in German donor base, animal welfare mission, and engagement with corporate partners.

Regional players

• Fondation Brigitte Bardot: France-based animal welfare foundation supporting sanctuaries and rescue operations internationally. Comparable in sanctuary funding model and European donor base, though primarily serving French donors and partner shelters abroad rather than operating its own cross-border facility network.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCpIcyXYl3aK8bl3qhHcxc6g
• Facebookfacebook.com/proanimale
• Instagraminstagram.com/proanimale
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pro-animale

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pro Animale