Rescuing large animals like horses and cows requires not only professional and often expensive equipment, but also dedicated and highly trained specialists who use great sensitivity and extensive experience to free injured animals from life-threatening situations. The volunteer specialists of the Large Animal Rescue Service (GTRD) often travel long distances and spare neither expense nor mess to rescue the frightened animals as gently and humanely as possible. Rescue operations by the Large Animal Rescue Service are usually complex and costly.
While most equine emergencies are covered by insurance or private funding from their owners, the costs incurred in rescuing so-called farm animals often pose financial problems for the farmers involved. To ensure these vital rescues can still take place, the SUST (Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board) and the GTRD (German Association for the Rescue of Horses) jointly run the campaign "Farm Animals Deserve Professional Rescue Too" and have been funding the uncovered costs of rescuing so-called "farm animals" for years.
