Please introduce your organization to someone who knows absolutely nothing about you?
Freedom for Animals is a non-profit organization that has been advocating for animal rights for over 30 years and striving to improve their living conditions. During this time, we have addressed a wide range of topics. From animal testing, so-called fur-bearing animals, so-called farm animals, to animals in circuses. Right now, for example, we are addressing the issue of fox hunting. We aim to ensure that the most cruel things done to animals can no longer happen.
Your goal is for animals to live with dignity, free from abuse and unnecessary suffering. You help people understand their needs, highlight unfair practices, and support changes in laws and societal behavior. You are like a watchdog for the good of animals. How is an animal defined in today's Czech law, and what forms of protection do legal regulations provide for it?
In the Czech Republic, we primarily base our work on the Animal Protection Act against cruelty. It states that animals are living beings capable of feeling pain, suffering, and joy, and therefore deserve protection and care. However, it also holds that if something is not specifically regulated by law for animals, similar rules as for objects are applied, for example, in ownership. In practice, this means that animals have a unique status. They are not mere objects, but neither are they fully independent "persons." Animal protection is also addressed marginally by other laws and regulations.
Where does the journey for legislative change begin?
It begins with naming the problem itself – mapping out what is happening to animals, gathering evidence, and seeking solutions. Only then can we prepare a campaign that involves the public, usually collecting signatures for some petition, and subsequently working with politicians to push for specific changes in legislation. It is a very long process. Legislation is a compromise between the interests of animals and the interests of people. So even if something is clearly abuse, it does not mean it is prohibited or that it will be punished in any way.
I don't fully understand. Please give an example.
Let’s take animal testing, for example. There are things happening there that are clearly abuse, or if someone did it to their dog, it would be considered abuse. But when it happens to laboratory animals, even though it is still a dog, it is actually legal. And it does not meet the definition of abuse.
I understand now. I have a dog myself, and if I pull Barney by the ears, that is abuse because he is a pet, but if the same thing happens in a laboratory, is that considered appropriate treatment for a laboratory animal?
You can simplify it that way. But even laboratory treatment has its rules and must meet certain conditions. The specific experiment must be approved by authorities. It must have scientific justification that there is no other alternative (for example, computer simulations) and other conditions. But it is still something you would not do to your dog at home.
So this means there are several categories of animals and corresponding levels of access?
Yes, exactly. From pets to so-called farm animals, which are raised for production, meat, wool, etc., to so-called laboratory animals. Each group has a different level of protection and different treatment by humans.
What do you or your organization do when you are working on a project for a long time and things are not going well? Where do you find the motivation to get back up? What gives you the strength to continue fighting for animals?
It’s probably because we have successes behind us, which, although they take a long time to achieve, we do have. We anticipate that it won’t be easy. In the end, it always works out, even if the result is some compromise. Positive steps are being made.
Let’s stop at your biggest successes. Which of them do you consider true milestones in the lives of the animals you have helped?
We consider the real milestones to be mainly those changes that have brought concrete help to animals. Among them are, for example, the closure of fur farms in the Czech Republic, which means that thousands of foxes and minks no longer have to suffer in small cages just for their fur. A significant success was also the end of the training of wild species of animals in circuses. We have also focused a lot in the past on the area of animal testing, which unfortunately is still common practice, even though there are modern and proven alternatives that are gentler and yield more accurate results. In 2021 and 2022, we participated in a pan-European campaign for a Europe without animal testing, aimed at adopting a plan for the gradual phasing out of these practices. Together, we managed to collect 1.2 million signatures, over 100 thousand of which were from the Czech Republic. An incredible response was generated by a video titled “And how will you react to the suffering of animals?”, produced by Freedom for Animals along with personalities like Ben Cristovao, Veronika Čermák Macková, Dewii, NotSoFunnyAny, Jana Stryková, and others. The video, where personalities react with genuine emotions to real footage from laboratories, was viewed by nearly 1.2 million people in just one day. And what is essential – thanks to these activities, the European Commission is now preparing a plan to gradually end animal testing and replace it with modern methods.
Currently, you are focused on ending fox hunting. What is it about?
Fox hunting is a cruel and outdated method of hunting foxes, badgers, or raccoon dogs. The hunting dog runs into the burrow and tries to flush the animal out, which causes it great stress and suffering. Outside, the fox, or possibly its young, are shot or otherwise killed by hunters. Foxes are often considered pests, yet they play an irreplaceable role in Czech nature. In today’s world, such cruel hunting is not necessary, and therefore we are striving to end it by law. This year, foxes received their first protection, as the Ministry of Agriculture established a hunting ban from March to June, during which foxes cannot be hunted or hunted in any other way. We do not relent in our efforts and are trying to push for a complete end to fox hunting. Our campaign “The burrow belongs to the fox” has been supported by well-known personalities, such as Tereza Hodanová, aka Teri Blitzen, who, along with Jiří Hájek and Veronika Čermák Mac, appeared in the campaign video.
I have also seen your campaign videos. Raising awareness and supporting animal protection in collaboration with well-known personalities is very beneficial and helps to increase public awareness. Do you reach out to them, or do they come to you? Where were the shots in that most brutal campaign taken?
We usually reach out to well-known personalities who have long been engaged in ethical issues or have a close relationship with animals. Their support is valuable; it can open doors to people who otherwise wouldn’t engage with the topic at all. They give the entire campaign great strength. During the filming of the mentioned campaign with Ben and others, we used footage from Spanish laboratories.
When you said that pushing for change can take a long time, what should we imagine by that? A few years, or sometimes even more than five years?
For example, the circus campaign lasted about 15 years in total, but that included various pauses and it wasn’t that intense. During that time, our organization operated mainly on a volunteer basis and was focused more on raising awareness. The last phase lasted about 3 years. And that was the legislative process, which is usually quite lengthy. Government proposal, first, second, third readings in the Chamber, Senate. Our initiative for the end of animal performances in circuses was publicly supported on social media by personalities such as Patricie Pagáčová, Nela Boudová, Pokáč, Andrea Růžičková, and Petr Vacek.
How does Freedom for Animals advocate for changes in the law?
Before elections, we conduct surveys among candidates, for example, now as part of the campaign “I vote for animals.” This allows people to see how individual political parties approach animal protection – we publish an overview of their positions on selected animal protection topics. For us, this is a valuable tool because we can see where each party has its priorities. Sometimes we also build on long-term cooperation with politicians, and thus allies gradually emerge who share our goals. They then present amendments and help move things forward. And if we encounter resistance from some parties, these allies help us find ways to negotiate and advance the topic.
What would you like to say to people who may be thinking right now that they want to help but don’t know how?
Anyone can help animals – for example, through regular donations, signing a petition at norapatrilisce.cz, or by looking at our campaign “I vote for animals” before elections and supporting the party that takes animal protection seriously. Everyday choices also matter a lot – choosing plant-based food more often, selecting products not tested on animals, or getting involved in volunteering. Even small steps have a big impact. Thank you to everyone who takes them – without you, changes for animals would not be possible. Every act of kindness counts. Together, we can create a life full of safety and understanding for animals.
- Text: Helena Volfová
