As a result of unprecedented cooperation, the Hungarian Code of Animal Welfare was drawn up at the University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest.
For the first time in the history of animal protection in Hungary, on 4 October 2021, World Animal Day, State and government agencies, authorities and professional organisations, and representatives of science, civil animal welfare organisations, and the animal service sector signed a joint declaration at the initiative of the University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest.
The Code is an ethical declaration of intent on animal welfare, as well as a growing community that any organisation that deals with animals or communicates about them may join if it is concerned with animal welfare and is willing to act in their interest.
Individuals may not sign up to the Code, only organisations operating in Hungary. The intent to join can be signalled to the Legal-, Analysis and Methodology Center for Animal Welfare, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest by sending us an e-mail: [Click to see email].
Code of Animal Welfare of the University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest
The undersigned organisations (hereinafter: Signatories), knowing that
as stated in the act on the protection and welfare of animals, animals are sentient beings that can feel suffering and joy,
all individual animals are unique and irreproducible,
protecting biological diversity and the sustainability of nature are among the most important issues of our age, of which the protection of individual animals can be an integral part,
the importance of ethical consumption and conscious consumer habits is growing worldwide,
the close correlation between cruelty to animals and violence against people has now been scientifically demonstrated,
as a result of consultations initiated and coordinated by the University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, issue the following declaration of intent.
The Signatories are committed to animal welfare that is based on professional foundations and cooperation.
By signing this document the Signatories commit to doing everything in their power to ensure that their staff, members, and volunteers, who come in contact with live animals in any way are familiar with and follow legislation in force on animal welfare, particularly the general regulation of animal welfare and detailed rules relating to species involved in the activity of the Signatory organisation.
Regarding any legal loophole or unclear legislation the Signatories undertake to interpret the law in a way that furthers the freedom of animals from suffering.
The Signatories undertake to monitor the latest research on animal welfare, -protection, and – behaviour and pain felt by animals to the best of their abilities and shall strive to develop their attitude, treatment, and technology related to live animals accordingly.
The Signatories undertake to represent responsible animal husbandry and the necessity of action against cruelty to animals in their activities and communications.
The Signatories undertake to keep the interests of animals in mind during their procedures that affect the fate of live animals. If a procedure or method can be replaced with a procedure or method that better serves the interests of live animals, the Signatories shall strive to use the latter as far as their resources allow, and shall also encourage their staff, members, and volunteers to do so.
The Signatories undertake to ensure the “five freedoms” of animals (freedom from hunger and thirst; freedom from discomfort; freedom from pain, injury, and disease; freedom to express normal and natural behaviour, and freedom from fear and distress) for the animals in their care, to the best of their abilities. If their resources allow, they will strive to diverge for the better from minimum requirements set by animal welfare legislation.
The Signatories undertake to strive to share their thoughts on responsible animal keeping and animal welfare, as well, in their communication. Signatories with a website or social media presence undertake to publish posts that encourage responsible animal husbandry, the dissemination of the correct culture of animal husbandry, and animal welfare in connection with their activity.
The Signatories undertake to consider cooperation with animal welfare organisations of their choice whenever an opportunity to organise or participate in any action related to corporate social responsibility arises.
Beyond protecting animals, the Signatories shall also strive to consider sustainability and use environmentally friendly solutions.
The originator of this agreement, the University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest undertakes to provide the online interface where further Signatories can sign up to the Code following its signature. Those wishing to sign up to the Code following its first signature accept that the first Signatories (hereinafter: Founders) may reject or exclude a Signatory with a majority decision. The Founders undertake to resort to this option only in extremely justified cases, where there is reason to believe that the activity and approach of an organisation that wishes to join is highly contrary to the spirit of the Code of Animal Welfare.
The Signatories will designate a contact person and provide their contact details to the Legal-, Analysis and Methodology Center for Animal Welfare, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest for contact in connection with education and research related to animal welfare and the exchange of information in connection with the Code of Animal Welfare.
4 October 2021, Budapest
