In 2025, the Susy Utzinger Foundation for Animal Welfare (SUST) celebrated its 25th anniversary. For a quarter of a century, it has been working with great dedication to help animals in need – both in Switzerland and internationally. Looking back on the anniversary year impressively demonstrates what sustainable, practical animal welfare can achieve thanks to a strong network, extensive expertise, and consistent work.
Since its founding, SUST has built an effective animal welfare network and applied its extensive expertise at both national and international levels. Today, the foundation supports well over 100 animal shelters and animal welfare projects in Switzerland and just as many in other countries.
A key project in Switzerland is the Social Work for Animals (SOFT) program: This program offers veterinary consultations for low-income pet owners, providing their animals with veterinary care at significantly reduced prices. The seven animal orphanages (including those in Romania) also follow the principle of immediate assistance. There, both stray animals and animals belonging to low-income owners receive free treatment, surgery, and neutering to sustainably reduce animal suffering.
The SUST's assistance ranges from financing and delivering food and deploying trained teams on-site to providing advice, renovations, and shelter and new opportunities for animals. The foundation also facilitates training and continuing education for veterinarians, animal welfare activists, and dedicated individuals, conducts spay/neuter and other support programs, and raises awareness. Together with partner organizations, resources are pooled and expertise is shared – for long-term and effective animal welfare.
Strong support for animals in Switzerland
- 276 pallets of animal feed (122,500 kg) from the SUST animal welfare warehouse distributed free of charge to 104 partner animal welfare organizations and animal food banks
- Financing of 83 large animal rescue operations89 animals rescued, cared for or transported
- 22 veterinary consultations as part of the Social work for animals (SOFT): 478 animals treated at greatly reduced prices
- Eleven "Fill Your Bowl" campaign days, eleven Animal shelter workdays as well as other missions for the benefit of humans and animals
- Amphibian rescue Brauiweiher: daily morning and night shifts (February–April) by 16 SUST helpers, 4,264 frogs, toads and newts safely accompanied to the spawning waters
- Projects SaveMyLife and Sorgentierli SwitzerlandHelp for injured cats, 10 animals protected from euthanasia for financial reasons
International aid with a sustainable approach
- operation of the seven SUST animal orphanages (OAHs) in Galati, Bucharest, Hurghada, Bello Horizonte, Moreni, Beirut, 15,462 animals treated free of charge 8,789 dogs and cats castrated
- Since the opening of the first OAH 10 years ago: 91,438 animals treated, 52,793 castrations
- Financing and operation of Feeding stations for street dogs in Romania
- Veterinary care the animals at the Galati animal shelter, Romania
- Management of the SUST animal shelter Galati, Romania
- SUST working horse aid: 6 multi-day operations, 139 horses received medical care, were shod, dewormed and treated against parasites
- Rabies vaccination and awareness campaigns in several countries, 10,880 rabies vaccinations (Switzerland, Egypt, Romania, Democratic Republic of Congo)
Conclusion
The anniversary year 2025 represents 25 years of consistent, networked, and sustainable animal welfare. SUST's work demonstrates that long-term commitment, expertise, and strong partnerships are crucial for effectively alleviating animal suffering and permanently improving their living conditions.
For more information see our Annual Report 2025