According to the Code, animals are living beings capable of feeling, suffering, and joy, and each animal is unique and irreplaceable. They stress that the close link between cruelty to animals and violence against humans is now scientifically proven, Telex reports.

Telex highlights the following from the Code:

* [the signatories’] staff who come into contact with live animals in any way are familiar with the legislation in force on animal protection and comply with it.
* follow, as far as possible, the latest research on animal welfare, animal protection, pain perception, and animal behavior, and endeavor to develop their approach to living animals accordingly.
* where they are keepers of animals, endeavor to ensure, to the fullest extent possible, that the animals in their care enjoy the five freedoms of the animal.
* in their communications, they also seek to share ideas about responsible pet ownership and animal welfare.
* in addition to animal welfare, they also strive to consider sustainability and to use environmentally sound practices.

Besides the University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, 14 other organizations also signed the Code. The university will make an online platform for others to be able to sign as well.

The signatories right now are the Ministerial Commissioner responsible for the renewal and implementation of the National Animal Protection Program, the National Police Headquarters, the National Food Chain Safety Office, the Hungarian Veterinary Chamber, the National Chamber of Agriculture, the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden, the Hungarian National Hunting Protection Association, the Center for Circus Arts Nonprofit Ltd, the NOÉ Animal Shelter Foundation, the Animal Rescue Service Foundation, the Ant Community, Ebugatta.hu, Kutyabarat.hu, and Hunland Trans Ltd.