We are the Bundesverband Gemeinschaft Deutscher Tierrettungsdienste e.V. – an alliance of currently 15 animal rescue services from across Germany and Austria who are dedicated to animals in distress.
As the umbrella association of qualified animal rescue services in the German-speaking region, our goal is to promote the professional rescue, care and protection of pets, wildlife and large animals – and to strengthen recognition of this important work in society, politics and legislation.
Professional animal rescue needs
strong structures
Whether at accidents, medical emergencies or disaster operations at home and abroad – the association's animal rescue services and their dedicated responders stand ready around the clock. For this work to be delivered reliably, safely and with recognition, a strong umbrella association is needed.
Community
An alliance of currently 15 animal rescue services from across Germany and Austria who are dedicated to animals in distress.
Learn more →Standards & Advocacy
We foster exchange, create uniform standards for qualified animal rescue services and represent our members' interests at state and federal level.
Learn more →Network
Through our large and growing network we pool forces and resources, campaign for greater recognition and ensure reliable structures at home and abroad.
Learn more →What the association delivers
The association pools the forces and resources of its members – and offers them tangible benefits in six areas.
Shared quality benchmarks for training, equipment, vehicles and operational procedures safeguard the level of qualified animal rescue.
Uniform, qualified training and continuing education – including as an animal accident paramedic – secure quality and competence.
To training →One voice for animal rescue towards politics, authorities and the public – at state and federal level.
Learn more →Mutual support during major incidents, a joint disaster response convoy and the international unit ADRG.
To disaster relief →From idea to reality: advice and start-up help for establishing new animal rescue services.
Learn more →Sharing of experience between the services, joint exercises and a growing network in Germany and Austria.
Our members →
Cooperation with the Deutscher Tierschutzbund
Since 2022 the association and the Deutscher Tierschutzbund e.V. have formed a joint operational cooperation to rescue animals in distress – prepared for disaster situations such as floods, fires or epidemics. The pet register FINDEFIX is closely integrated into the cooperation. As the association's international unit, the ADRG – Animal Disaster Response Germany is deployed in international disaster situations.
Would your animal rescue service like to join the association?
Qualified German animal rescue services are warmly invited to become members – on request we also admit animal rescue organisations from the wider German-speaking region.