Animals are an integral part of human society. They provide valuable services such as providing food and contributing to income from tourism or the preservation of the natural cycles. Nevertheless, animal cruelty in farming, zoos, and experiments happen on a daily basis in many places and wild animals are increasingly being displaced of their habitats or have almost gone extinct due to hunting. But examples like the Covid pandemic show that certain standards are necessary in dealing with animals, not only from an ethical point of view, but also for human sake.
This article therefore examines how the political representation of animals can be improved. Next to a literature review, models that are already used worldwide to represent animals are examined. Subsequently, three concepts for the representation of animals and other non-voting groups, such as future generations, are presented, that could serve as models for a representation concept for animals. Finally, it comments on the new position of the German Federal AnimalWelfare Officer in this context.
