The Philosophy of Aiderbichl

Humanity should not stop at human beings.

1. In the beginning, the philosophy of Gut Aiderbichl was never for animals to be regarded as "better humans". If an animal is ailing, his fellow creatures certainly take no pity nor do they supply food. Our entire creation did not spring up from a single rib of God: empathy, a sense of what is right or mercy cannot be taken for granted.

2. Such values emerged during our culture’s quest to find an ideal and better world. But we cannot go from a vale of tears to paradise in one single step: from the butcher in the slaughter house to the vegan, from industrial agriculture back to the farmer’s family association … extreme measures can be a goal, but not the path.

3. As a result of an out-of-fashion culture of protest, the common belief was still that it was enough simply to protest for paradise and against our problems. But if we cannot base our values on empathy, a sense of what is right or mercy, no amount of protest leads to this state of paradise, though we can work towards achieving it!

4. What’s needed instead of complaints and protests are – solutions. That means practical suggestions, political and legally binding decisions as well as concepts for financial planning to achieve our goals.

5. Animal protection without protection for humans would also create something like a sect. That’s why Aiderbichl is not just a place to warn people about the need for animals’ rights – not just a corner of paradise, but also a large mirror. What this mirror reflects is a lack of dignity in our treatment of animals – the battery hens and animal transports, our care homes and open-plan offices, not to mention our attitude to those less powerful as well as our relationships among and towards each other. Aiderbichl is a reminder that we are all in it together – our destiny is to live in one community on earth.

6. When the estate opened in the year 2000, the political climate back then suggested it was time to substitute the old protest culture for a PR mission aiming at a new kind of world. Instead of continuing the siege of the old order with the same shock publicity of negative cases leading nowhere, the mission was to advertise the positive examples. Now, thanks to our far-reaching media and press relations, this positive approach has won through. Ultimately, embracing a better world shouldn’t start with threats and so we call our solution: "Love Life. Aiderbichl." That’s when our animal sanctuary is created a million times over – in people’s thoughts.

Humanity should not stop at human beings.