How a pigeon named Oskar sparked a global animal welfare movement

How a pigeon named Oskar sparked a global animal welfare movement

Poster with a tree centered on grass under a cloudy sky, titled "Bipolar Disorder" with a logo at the bottom.

"Suddenly, chaos had a name": Malte Zierden on his ADHD diagnosis - How a pigeon named Oskar sparked a global animal welfare movement

Malte Zierden has become a well-known voice for animal welfare, reaching over a million followers across Instagram and TikTok. His work spans global projects, from shelters in Ukraine to protecting rainforests in Peru. Alongside his activism, he openly discusses his late ADHD diagnosis and its impact on his life.

Zierden's path in animal advocacy began with an unlikely friendship. After bonding with a city pigeon named Oskar, he established his first sanctuary. This led to further initiatives, including a shelter in Berehowe, Ukraine, built in 2024 with Notpfote e.V., which now houses 300 dogs, 50 cats, and other animals. He also helped fundraise to protect a stretch of Peruvian rainforest, managed by Wilderness International, and supported projects in Uganda.

His approach centres on treating animals as equals, recognising their sentience and individual stories. Beyond hands-on work, he uses social media to highlight animal suffering and rally support for fundraising campaigns.

In 2023, Zierden shared another personal journey. Diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood, he described it as a 'total gamechanger', reshaping how he understood his mind. This experience inspired RE:TURN – ADHD as a Gamechanger, a documentary airing on ZDF on March 29, 2023. Through the film and his platforms, he advocates for greater visibility of invisible conditions and neurodivergence.

Zierden's work now includes at least three major animal protection projects, alongside ongoing awareness campaigns. His documentary and social media presence continue to push for better understanding of ADHD and neurodivergence. Both efforts reflect his commitment to giving voice to the overlooked—whether animals or marginalised human experiences.

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