With professional planning and compelling on-site interventions, they support and promote animal shelters both at home and abroad. This animal welfare work is primarily made possible through donations and bequests. However, the voluntary work of experts is also a fundamental and indispensable component.
The SUST teams have a big heart for animals, enormous expertise and experience in animal welfare, and boundless dedication: animal suffering, dirt, work under extreme conditions, and possibly injuries are part of everyday life in such operations.
Our animal welfare volunteers support us on many different levels with their time, commitment and expertise.
They support us in our various projects, in administrative matters, and they accompany us on workdays at the animal shelter in Switzerland. During these workdays (one to two days each weekend), our teams primarily carry out tasks that the shelter staff don't have time for alongside their daily duties. These tasks often involve cleaning, renovations, or maintenance. Direct work with the animals is left to the specialists present.
If volunteers have the interest, suitability, and commitment, there is the opportunity to participate in animal welfare missions abroad. Animal welfare volunteers who have completed the mandatory training or already have relevant qualifications are welcome to contact us by email.
If you are interested, please send us a E-mail or call us: +41 52 202 69 69.
"In my free time, I support the SUST's activities and operations with my professional expertise because animals have always been my greatest passion. That's why I dedicate my free time to animal welfare. The SUST works extremely efficiently, effectively, and sustainably for animal welfare both at home and abroad. It makes me very happy to be able to contribute my small part to the SUST's activities."
“Animals have always been a part of my life and play a central role in it. Every animal deserves our respect and to be treated with dignity. This is everyone’s responsibility – but unfortunately, not everyone lives by it. That’s why we need organizations like SUST, whose enormous, tireless dedication I admire. I, too, want to do my part to spare animals suffering and bring them joy.”
"In my free time, I support the SUST's activities and operations with my professional qualifications because I enjoy working with like-minded people and because it allows me to actively engage in animal welfare."
"My first dog, Otis, led me to animal welfare. I was fortunate enough to quickly meet many wonderful people in and around the animal welfare community and became increasingly involved with it. Since money was rather tight for us, I tried to contribute my time and energy wherever help was needed and welcome. In March 2017, I had the opportunity to go behind the scenes of a spay/neuter campaign in Spain and actively participate. This opened a whole new door and showed me a fascinating new world that I am eager to explore further. I am happy to be part of such a fantastic team and take every opportunity to continuously learn and grow."
"When you help animals, you receive more in return than you could ever expect from a person. I first encountered dogs in a training course. I was overwhelmed to see what they are capable of. That was probably the beginning of my current work. What I like about SUST: I am impressed by their professionalism and commitment. The set goals are achieved."
"Animals gladden my heart. They are sentient beings like us, our fellow inhabitants on Earth. I admire people who found animal shelters, sanctuaries, and rescue centers and dedicate themselves daily to the well-being of animals. That's why I enjoy helping, and it's also enriching to meet other animal lovers. And the workdays are very well organized."
“Animals are a part of my life and mean everything to me. They give us so much, which is why it’s so important to me to advocate for them. It’s wonderful to be actively involved, to feel and see what we can contribute with our own efforts to a better world for animals in need who urgently require help. Every mission gives us new energy when we see the grateful and happy eyes of the animals and the people who care for and rescue them, as well as renewed courage, motivation, and strength for the next mission and many new projects. We are a fantastic team that pursues the same goal: ‘everything for the well-being of the animal.’ With our combined strength, we can achieve a great deal, and with every mission, we learn something new. I am very grateful and proud to be part of the SUST team.” "SUST tackles the root causes" – that's their motto, and the foundation lives by it. With its four key pillars – animal shelter support, spay/neuter campaigns, education and training, and public awareness – the foundation is exceptionally well-organized and, through its many years of experience, achieves wonderful and sustainable results both at home and abroad, as can be seen publicly or experienced firsthand through personal involvement.
"SUST is a professionally run, transparent organization that operates objectively and with maximum efficiency. Its core activities—emergency aid, animal shelter support, spaying and neutering, professional development, and public information—are well-chosen. Crucially, although funded by donations, they don't resort to emotional manipulation. I appreciate being able to contribute not only financially, but also through my work and assistance. Thanks to the numerous training opportunities, I can continuously expand my expertise."
"I found my way to SUST as a volunteer through their material collection and sorting days. I signed up spontaneously and have been enthusiastic ever since. It's a great team and I've been welcomed so warmly, even though I can only offer 'small amounts of help': assisting in the warehouse, various administrative tasks, small pick-up and delivery services, and baking for training events. What convinces me about SUST are the people behind it and the fact that even small things are appreciated. Because even small contributions make a difference..."
"I support SUST because I can use my time and skills on-site, working with animals as a shelter manager/staff, both at home and abroad. As a volunteer, I also have the opportunity to further my education in animal welfare and veterinary medicine through seminars led by professionals. SUST is a compelling organization for me because it also includes wild animals in its portfolio, and we actively support amphibian migration at our migration site. We are able to actively practice sustainable animal welfare."
“In my free time, I support the SUST’s activities and operations with my professional qualification because I witnessed the animal suffering in Italy from a young age. This has shaped me. I wanted to do more than just donate, and that’s why I volunteer for aid organizations.”
“Animals – whether dog or cat – are the true owners of this world, which humans have stolen from them. Living beings = living beings, whether animal or human; none is less valuable, and therefore humans do not have the right to do whatever they want with them! But humans remain humans, and animals remain animals – so I am proud to be able to help the weaker ones and sincerely hope that animal suffering will finally improve and that humans will come to their senses – the world does not belong to them alone!!! I have the utmost respect for the SUST (Swiss Animal Protection) in what they do, and I am proud to be able to help make life at least a little better for animals.”
"The workdays and international assignments are always very intense, but also always very enriching! Working with such dedicated people is always exciting and satisfying. Even the physical demands are ultimately met with a great sense of accomplishment. I've also attended various training courses and was very impressed by the many professional opportunities and the diverse assignments both at home and abroad."
"SUST makes it possible to implement animal welfare measures where they are most urgently needed. Solving problems where they arise is, for me, the ideal way to protect animals. My involvement with SUST has provided me with a meaningful complement to my work at the Pfötli animal shelter."
"By volunteering with SUST, I can provide direct, on-site assistance and immediately see the results of my/our work. The gratitude and joy of the shelter managers and their staff demonstrates how meaningful my/our work is. It's a good feeling to do something on a voluntary basis. I greatly appreciate SUST's sound, practical approach. It's very professionally managed and offers a wide range of support. The seminars they offer allow me to continuously expand my knowledge."
“I don’t just want to donate, I also want to actively do something for animal welfare. I love animals – all of them! Every animal has a right to a good life. The Susy Utzinger Foundation doesn’t just treat the symptoms, but also addresses the root causes. I think that’s very worthwhile. The assignments are varied, you spend quality time with like-minded people, learn new things, and at the end of the day you go home with a good feeling and know: I’ll be back.”
"With my help, time and expertise, I support the worthwhile projects of the Susy Utzinger Foundation directly on site, where the problems are tackled at their root. The SUST stands for sustainable and transparent animal welfare both at home and abroad, and I am proud to be part of their team."
"I learned about SUST through a good friend of mine. Since I'm not the type to donate money, I wanted to get involved. The focus of the missions is on the animals; together we make a difference, and you meet great new people who are committed to the same cause. Since there are no missions during the winter months, I enjoy attending the training courses, which are very informative."
"For me, SUST is a place where I can contribute to making the world a better place. Being part of an animal-loving organization touches me every time."
"I find it meaningful to give my time to those who stand up for the weakest."
“I don’t just want to donate, I also want to actively do something for animal welfare. I love animals, and every animal has the right to a good life and to be treated with respect. It’s important to me to pursue meaningful work in my free time, and that’s why I contacted the SUST. I’m happy to be able to help where help is needed. The Susy Utzinger Foundation does fantastic work, both at home and abroad. Thank you for allowing me to be a small part of the SUST.”
"I came to SUST through my work at the Animal Rescue Service. The sustainability and professionalism they apply not only to 'pets' but also to wild animals of all kinds convinced me so much that I can stand behind SUST 100 percent. Thank you for allowing me to be a small part of SUST."
"I volunteer as an animal welfare helper for SUST because every mission to the animal shelters/sanctuaries yields great results and gives you the feeling that the effort was not in vain, because the animals can be helped in the long term."
"On workdays, I always meet very dedicated and wonderful volunteer colleagues, with whom the tasks at hand are both enjoyable and educational. The workdays are very well organized and the atmosphere is great. Through my translation work, I get to marvel at and stay up-to-date on what SUST is doing around the world."
“My mother taught me love and respect for animals from a young age. For years, I had several guinea pigs, which taught me responsibility towards animals. Now, three cats brighten up my life. I love animals very much and was always looking for an animal welfare organization where I could contribute my time and energy. With SUST, I've found the right place. Volunteering through SUST is a matter close to my heart; it fills me with happiness and pride to be able to help where help is needed. What I find particularly wonderful about SUST is the organization, Susy and her team, and their tireless dedication to the welfare of animals.”
"Despite the distance (I now live abroad), I'm glad I can still help with French translations :)"
“It’s important to me to do something meaningful in my free time. Animal shelters are always busy and full of worries. After a shift with SUST, I feel like I’ve done something useful that relieves the shelter staff and benefits the animals. I’m happy to support the people who dedicate all their time and energy to providing the animals with a good and loving home. The shifts are always very well organized. And we have a lot of fun, too. We’re always a great team; we work hard, but we also laugh a lot. I learn something new with every shift. I can also regularly benefit from the training courses that Susy Utzinger offers. I’m looking forward to many more shifts; I fully support SUST.”
"For me, volunteering means getting to know and understand the situations in other countries. Knowing this side is incredibly valuable for my job, allowing me to better support the dogs in my work."
"I am thrilled by the dedicated team and the collaboration we offer to animal shelters and sanctuaries. It is valuable to provide support together and to review the results together at the end of the day. I look forward to future assignments!"
"A life without animals is simply unimaginable for me. Not only donating and raising awareness for animal welfare, but also actively participating and learning so much new stuff thanks to the SUST training courses is incredibly fun and makes me incredibly happy! At SUST, you're warmly welcomed and form a community of loving people who are all committed to helping animals. I really appreciate this, and it has quickly become a matter close to my heart."
"In my opinion, SUST is an organization that operates transparently and honestly. I feel good about being able to help here, not only with donations but also through my physical work, which is also a lot of fun. It's also nice that I can do something good for my two sponsored dogs."
"I dedicate a large part of my free time to these missions because looking away doesn't save lives."
"In my free time, I support the SUST's activities and operations with my professional qualification because I think it's important not just to pity the animals or even look away, but to actively help improve their lives."
"In my free time, I support the SUST's activities and operations with my professional qualifications because animal welfare is very important to me. Only by not looking away can I make a difference!"
"For me, SUST is a highly professional organization that uses a wide range of activities to reduce animal suffering, provide immediate assistance, and much more. Very important to me: animal welfare and education don't stop at national borders, and they always work proactively and transparently."
"Animal welfare starts with each and every one of us. I am so grateful and happy to be able to help the animals and 'their' people with SUST. You get away from everyday life, meet new people and are surrounded by different animals. We firmly believe that together we are strong and can make a difference."
"There is nothing I enjoy more than being able to do something for others in my free time – something meaningful and important to help people and animals who are less fortunate than myself."
