AfD lawmaker denied adoption of Italian setter by animal rescue group
The animal rescue organization Fortuna Animali refused to place an English-Setter from Italy with AfD Landtag member Vanessa Behrendt, citing her political affiliation.
AfD parliamentarian Vanessa Behrendt sought to adopt an English-Setter born in January 2025, rescued in Cori, Italy, through the rescue charity Fortuna Animali. After expressing interest, the charity responded within fifteen minutes that it would not arrange the adoption due to Behrendt’s affiliation with the AfD. Behrendt, who has a background in dog therapy and long-standing involvement in animal welfare, replied that the refusal was regrettable and questioned whether the priority was the animal’s well-being.
She later posted the exchange on X, criticizing the decision as politically motivated. Fortuna Animali maintains that its official adoption criteria do not include political orientation, though the dog remains available for other families. The incident highlights tensions between political identities and civil-society services.
Why it matters
It shows how political affiliations can affect access to civil-society services, raising concerns about impartiality.
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