Living animal welfare

“Was already daft as a child and saved toads”

Hannelore Rügen is a "veteran" animal rights activist - she now only has birds at home.(Bild: Horst Einöder/Flashpictures)

She is a veteran of the animal welfare scene in Upper Austria and is not afraid to speak her mind and stand up for dogs, cats and other animals. After 50 years, Hannelore Rügen is officially stepping down from the animal welfare stage in Upper Austria, but she is staying on and never minces her words.

Photos of her parents and partners at the table, a picture and urn of her dog "Suri" in the living room cupboard, budgies fluttering in the aviary in the living room - Toffifees and a can of Coke at the table. The grand dame of animal welfare in Upper Austria, Hannelore Rügen, welcomes the "Krone" to her apartment in Linz. She spent 50 years helping dogs, cats, livestock and exotic animals - now her Linz animal welfare association is history.