About us

Purpose of the foundation

Animal welfare with heart and mind: Since 2000, the Susy Utzinger Foundation for Animal Welfare has been working to sustainably reduce or even prevent animal suffering in Switzerland and many other countries.

Stray dog ​​in Hurghada, Egypt
The purpose

Effective and sustainable

Through effective means, the Susy Utzinger Foundation for Animal Welfare contributes to sustainably reducing or even preventing animal suffering in Switzerland and many other countries.

All over the world, countless animals lead a miserable existence in overcrowded shelters or struggle for survival in feral colonies. Even today, every day, animals deemed a nuisance are abandoned, deported, or kept improperly due to a lack of knowledge.

The SUST therefore focuses not on the consequences, but on the causes. Its work is based on four interconnected pillars. In addition, it provides immediate assistance to those animals that cannot wait until this reconstruction work takes effect.

The base

Immediate help: How animal lives are saved

Those animals that have not yet benefited from the effects of this reconstruction work and were born into a world where they are not wanted need the immediate help of SUST.

Puppy is held in hands during an emergency call.

Wherever animals suffer, the SUST is there to help.

  • Emergency operations In the event of disasters, confiscations and acute emergencies, the SUST deploys experts and cares for the animals on site.
  • Feed deliveries Partner animal shelters, feeding stations for street animals and emergency projects receive food and supplies.
  • Social assistance for animals For pets belonging to impoverished pet owners, SUST offers free food and regular veterinary consultations at greatly reduced rates at various locations in Switzerland.
  • SUST Animal Orphan Hospitals The seven hospitals provide refuge for injured, sick and abandoned street animals, giving them urgently needed veterinary care and attention.

SUST is tackling it sustainably.

102'903
Animals treated in the seven animal orphanages
12'269
Castrations in 2026
183'266
Quality-tested and verifiable castrations
100%
financed by donations and bequests

As of September 2026. The castration figures are continuously updated and can be viewed on the Castrations page.

take on

This is how the foundation works

The purpose of a foundation is only as valuable as how it is managed. These principles have been in place since its inception.

Independent and non-profit

SUST is not affiliated with any umbrella organization or other body. It decides independently where it provides assistance.

Under federal supervision

The annual accounts and activity report are audited annually by the Federal Department of Home Affairs as part of its statutory supervisory duties (Art. 84 para. 2 of the Swiss Civil Code).

Donations and bequests

All animal welfare activities are financed through donations and bequests. The foundation receives no public funding.

Honorary Foundation Board

The foundation's board of directors works on a voluntary basis and contributes expertise in veterinary medicine, law, and business administration.

Modest infrastructure

SUST has virtually no budget for advertising or marketing. Its infrastructure is geared towards animal welfare work, not the other way around.

Short ways

A flat structure and fast decision-making processes are crucial in animal welfare: rapid interventions save lives.

Help that matters

They make this work possible

Every pillar of this work is supported by the people who fund it. A donation to SUST goes towards projects that will still be effective years from now.

The dog places her paw in the hand of a caretaker.

Donate online

Pay securely with card, TWINT or PostFinance.

Prefer a free donation? Donation account IBAN CH87 0900 0000 8466 6666 9 (PostFinance), Susy Utzinger Foundation for Animal Welfare, 8488 Turbenthal. Also with TWINT is possible.
The foundation is exempt from taxes; your donation can be deducted depending on the cantonal tax law.

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