animals united

What animals united does

ANIMALS UNITED e.V. is a Munich-based registered nonprofit association (eingetragener Verein, VR 11258) operating in the German animal-rights sector. Formed in April 2014 through the merger of AnimalsUnited e.V. (founded 2005) and animal2000 – Menschen für Tierrechte Bayern e.V. (founded 1984), the organization is financed entirely through donations and membership fees and receives no government support. Its primary focus is animal-rights education for children and youth, delivered through a six-thematic-pillar framework (nutrition, clothing, research, entertainment, hunting/fishing, companion animals) and operationalized via a 12-month online certification program (Tierschutzlehrer:innenausbildung) priced at €360 (€260 for members) with seven modules, complemented by 50+ ready-made teaching materials and a growing network of 13–20 Lernort Tierschutz partner farms and welfare organizations across Germany and Switzerland.

The organization's technology footprint is modest and commodity-based: ThriveCart for course enrollment and payment, a WordPress site with an integrated web shop, PayPal for transactions, and reCAPTCHA for contact-form protection. Beyond education delivery, ANIMALS UNITED runs advocacy campaigns (anti-cattle tethering, circus-free, anti-hunting, End The Cage Age coalition), operates an e-commerce shop selling merchandise and educational materials at modest price points (€0.50–€45), publishes an annual members' magazine (Blickpunkt), and hosts the annual Vegan Beats Festival in Munich as a flagship community and fundraising event. The organization also extends internationally via the Paws of Deniyaya stray-dog project in Sri Lanka (since autumn 2024) and supports the Tierheim Gyula animal shelter in Hungary.

Revenue mechanics are diversified across five streams — donations/memberships, paid online training (€260–€360, including installment plans), e-commerce merchandise, festival ticket and vendor fees, and gift certificates (€10–€100) — with approximately 200 training participants enrolled since 2024 and 5 schools in the Bastet Stiftung Hamburg-funded pilot. The organization is almost entirely volunteer-driven with a small board (Carmen Ruf, Julie Houssin, Benjamin Gorzolla, Julia Jagiello, Christopher Schmädicke), managing director Melanie Demir (founder), and a dedicated press officer (Selin Kiendl), keeping administrative overhead minimal.

Name

animals united

Legal name

ANIMALS UNITED e.V.

Website

https://animalsunited.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Short description

ANIMALS UNITED e.V. is a Munich-based nonprofit running animal-rights campaigns, an online animal-protection teacher certification program, and the annual Vegan Beats Festival across Germany, Sri Lanka, and Hungary.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal Rights Advocacy and Education

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Support Activities for Animal Production (1152), Support Activities for Animal Production (115210)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYAFAEALAC

Animal Welfare & Advocacy Organizations

Agriculture & Food Production/Animal Production & Aquaculture/Animal Welfare, Boarding & Production Support Services (non-veterinary)

SECONDARYAFAEALAN

Animal Welfare Auditing, Compliance & Certification Services (Non-testing Lab)

Agriculture & Food Production/Animal Production & Aquaculture/Animal Welfare, Boarding & Production Support Services (non-veterinary)

SECONDARYBPAGAIAG

Animal Cruelty Prevention, Investigation & Humane Law Enforcement

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Animal Welfare & Wildlife Rescue

SECONDARYAFACADAL

Animal Welfare, Handling & Stockmanship Audits/Training

Agriculture & Food Production/Agricultural Services (Custom Farming, Agronomy, Veterinary)/Veterinary Services (Farm Animal & Herd Health)

Keywords

• Animal rights education
• Online certification training
• Nonprofit advocacy
• Animal welfare campaigns
• Vegan lifestyle events

Headquarters

HQ city

Munich

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Membership Fees: The organization is funded entirely by donations and membership fees. It receives no government support. Members pay dues and receive access to annual reports and general meetings. Donations are used for campaigns, projects, actions, investigations, lectures, field missions, and charitable animal protection work abroad (e.g., Sri Lanka).
2. Online Animal Protection Teacher Training: 12-month online certification course priced at €360 for the full program, €260 for members. Installment option: 4 monthly payments of €95 (total €380). Includes 3 months access to the Expert:innen-Bereich (expert area). Individual modules available for separate purchase.
3. E-commerce Shop (Merchandise and Educational Materials): Online shop selling clothing (shirts, hoodies, jackets from €20–€45), bags (€10), stickers and buttons (€0.50–€4), anti-hunting workshop (€4.99), gift vouchers (€10–€100), and free educational flyers/magazines. All proceeds go to animal rights work.
4. Vegan Beats Festival Revenue: Ticketed festival events (e.g., Vegan Beats 2026 at Bahnwärter Thiel, Munich) generate revenue through ticket sales, vendor fees, and food/beverage, with proceeds supporting animal rights work.
5. Gift Certificates (Geschenk-Urkunde): Gift certificates sold for birthdays, anniversaries, or special occasions — a gifting product that also serves as a donation mechanism while providing a tangible recipient item.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

ANIMALS UNITED e.V. is a German nonprofit animal rights organization that sells a 12-month online animal protection teacher certification (Tierschutzlehrer:innenausbildung, 7 modules, €360 / €260 for members), delivers in-school animal protection lessons through certified teachers, runs an e-commerce shop with merchandise and educational materials, hosts the annual Vegan Beats Festival, and operates advocacy campaigns covering nutrition, clothing, research, entertainment, hunting/fishing, and companion animals. The organization is funded exclusively through donations and membership fees.

Product overview

ANIMALS UNITED e.V. is a German animal rights organization that operates primarily as an educational non-profit rather than a technology company. Its main offerings include the Online-Tierschutzlehrer:innenausbildung (12-month online certification program for animal protection teachers), the Tierschutzunterricht (animal protection lessons for children), and various campaigns including Paws of Deniyaya, Anbindehaltung, and Wildtiere raus aus dem Zirkus. The organization also runs a vegan festival (Vegan Beats), an online shop with merchandise and educational materials, and publishes the annual Magazin Blickpunkt. The education programs are offered through the organization's own platform with ThriveCart for payments, and include the Expert:innen-Bereich subscription for ongoing professional development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Online-Tierschutzlehrer:innenausbildung (Animal Protection Teacher Training) A 12-month online certification program priced at €360 (€260 for members) that certifies participants as animal protection teachers. The program consists of 7 modules covering animals in entertainment, companion animals, animals in nutrition, animals in clothing, hunting and fishing, animals in research, and animal ethics, including video content, practical assignments, live calls, and an expert networking forum. Available for individual module purchase as well.
• Tierschutzunterricht (Animal Protection Lessons) Animal protection education program delivered by certified animal protection teachers in kindergartens, schools, youth groups, and other educational facilities across Germany. Covers topics including animals in clothing, companion animals, animal testing, animals in entertainment, animals in nutrition, and hunting and fishing.
• Expert:innen-Bereich Tierschutzpädagogik (Expert Area Animal Protection Pedagogy) Subscription service for animal protection pedagogy that provides ongoing education and resources for certified animal protection teachers and other interested parties, including regular live calls and a community forum. Standard access is 3 months, members receive 4 months (3 regular + 1 bonus month).
• Vegan Beats Festival Annual vegan lifestyle festival in Munich featuring live music, vegan food, educational content, and entertainment. The 2026 edition is scheduled for September 5, 2026 at the Bahnwärter Thiel venue. Tickets, vendor fees, and food/beverage proceeds support animal rights work.
• Online-Shop (Merchandise and Educational Materials) E-commerce platform selling branded merchandise including clothing (shirts, hoodies, jackets from €20–€45), bags (€10), stickers and buttons (€0.50–€4), gift vouchers, educational flyers, magazines, and workshops. PayPal is offered as payment method; all proceeds support animal rights work.
• Magazin Blickpunkt (Annual Members Magazine) Annual magazine reporting on ANIMALS UNITED's activities, campaigns, successes, and projects throughout the year. Available free of charge to members and supporters.
• Anti-Jagd-Workshop (Anti-Hunting Workshop) Online workshop priced at €4.99 covering hunting types, hunting myths, and evidence-based arguments against hunting practices. Includes theoretical content and argumentation training accessible after purchase.
• Geschenk-Urkunde (Gift Certificate) Gift certificates available in denominations of €10, €15, €25, €40, €50, and €100. Designed for birthdays, anniversaries, or special occasions — the gift also serves as a donation mechanism supporting the organization's animal rights work. Delivered as PDF after payment.

Quantifiable outcome

• Approximately 200 people trained as animal protection teachers since 2024 launch of the online program
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ärzte gegen Tierversuche e. V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerANIMALS UNITED cooperates with Ärzte gegen Tierversuche e.V. (Doctors Against Animal Testing) for Module 6 of the animal protection teacher training program, which covers animals in research and alternatives to animal testing. This expert collaboration ensures scientific rigor and accuracy in the training curriculum.
• Lernort Tierschutz NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerANIMALS UNITED partners with the Lernort Tierschutz network, which consists of animal-friendly farms and animal welfare organizations in Germany and Switzerland that meet both animal welfare knowledge standards and have a pedagogical concept. The network provides hands-on animal protection education sites where children and youth can experience animal welfare firsthand, complementing the classroom-based training.
• Paws of Deniyaya (Sri Lanka)minorOthersANIMALS UNITED supports the Paws of Deniyaya project in Sri Lanka, which conducts castration programs and (predominantly vegan) feeding of stray dogs in the Deniyaya rainforest region. The organization also provides support to its companion animal shelter in Gyula, Hungary. Since autumn 2024, volunteers Chris and Teresa have been active on the ground in Sri Lanka.
• Tierheim Gyula (Hungary)minorOthersANIMALS UNITED has a longstanding relationship with the Tierheim Gyula animal shelter in Hungary, providing ongoing support for the shelter's operations and animal care.
• Deutsche Tier-Lobby (German Animal Lobby)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerANIMALS UNITED works together with Deutsche Tier-Lobby and other alliance partners in the coalition against cattle tethering (Anbindehaltung). The organizations jointly campaign for legislative deadlines for a ban on tethering and fair support for farms to transition to open loose housing systems.
• End The Cage Age (European Citizens' Initiative)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 2020, ANIMALS UNITED has been part of the European Citizens' Initiative 'End The Cage Age,' advocating for an EU-wide ban on cage farming for animals including laying hens, rabbits, sows, calves, and ducks.
• Gemeinschaftskampagne 'Ausstieg aus dem Tierversuch'coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerANIMALS UNITED is part of the community campaign 'Ausstieg aus dem Tierversuch' (Exit from Animal Testing), a coalition of German organizations working to end animal testing in research.
• Bündnis 'München exzellent – ohne Tierversuche'minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerANIMALS UNITED co-founded the Munich alliance 'München exzellent – ohne Tierversuche' with other committed individuals and organizations to promote animal-testing-free research in Munich.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• PETA Deutschland: Largest international animal rights organization with strong German operations. Directly comparable as a national animal rights advocacy and education nonprofit targeting German consumers, though PETA operates at significantly greater scale and broader campaign scope.
• Deutscher Tierschutzbund: Germany's largest umbrella animal welfare organization with nationwide member societies. Comparable as a German-headquartered animal welfare nonprofit with educational outreach and policy advocacy, though substantially larger and focused more on companion animal welfare than systematic K-12 education.
• Vier Pfoten / Four Paws International: International animal welfare organization with active Germany presence. Comparable through shared focus on animal rights campaigns, education programs, and policy advocacy, though Four Paws has a more international footprint and broader programmatic scope.

Direct peers

• Ärzte gegen Tierversuche e.V. German nonprofit advocating against animal testing in research. Direct strategic partner of ANIMALS UNITED for the teacher training curriculum (Module 6). Operates in adjacent animal rights advocacy space with shared educational and policy focus.
• Albert Schweitzer Stiftung für unsere Mitwelt: German animal welfare foundation focused on farm animal advocacy and vegan promotion. Comparable as a Germany-based animal rights nonprofit combining advocacy, education, and campaign work targeting consumers and policy makers.
• Animal Equality: International animal protection organization with German operations focused on farm animal advocacy. Comparable through shared focus on systematic education, campaigns against animal exploitation, and grassroots mobilization in Germany.
• Pro Wildlife: Germany-based nonprofit focused on wildlife conservation and animal welfare. Comparable as a Munich-rooted animal rights/advocacy nonprofit with educational outreach and international project work, though more focused on wild animals than farm/companion animals.

Regional players

• Deutscher Tierschutzverein München: Munich-headquartered regional animal welfare organization operating a major animal shelter. Comparable as a Munich-based animal welfare nonprofit with educational outreach and activism, though primarily focused on shelter operations and companion animal welfare.

Emerging players

• Tierretter.de: German online platform for pet adoption and animal welfare. Comparable as a Germany-based digital animal welfare initiative, though focused on adoption technology rather than education/advocacy programs.

Others

• Cirque Ohne / Endlich raus JETZT: German coalition campaign for banning wild animals in circuses. Strategic partner/coalition ally of ANIMALS UNITED on the 'Wildtiere raus aus dem Zirkus' campaign. Comparable as an adjacent campaign-focused animal welfare initiative in Germany.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xfacebook.com/AnimalsUnited.eV
• Facebookfacebook.com/AnimalsUnited.eV
• Instagraminstagram.com/animalsunited_ev

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

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 animals united