Volunteering for "Aid that arrives""Aid that arrives"the animals in needanimal welfarethe weakestthe SUST"Aid that arrives"

“Even as a child, I was passionate about animal welfare issues, and I have tried to get involved and make a difference ever since, albeit mostly on a personal level. That's why I'm all the more pleased that I can now contribute more directly to sustainable animal welfare at SUST.”

Only by improving the situation on the ground for both people and animals can lasting change be achieved. And that is precisely where SUST focuses its efforts, whether through castration projects or at the political level.

"Fine words alone rarely solve animal welfare problems permanently. Providing active help – both animal and human – on the ground is more strenuous, but the results are all the more rewarding."

As a veterinarian from a country with perfect technical and material resources, it is a challenge to perform serious work under rudimentary conditions and with the simplest means, thereby helping the animals to a better life.

"While we used to collect money for animal welfare as children, today I make a legal contribution to sustainable animal welfare. Animal welfare has many legal facets. The legal basis for upholding the dignity and well-being of animals can be found in the Animal Welfare Act and the Animal Welfare Ordinance."

However, the dignity and well-being of animals are only ensured through the effective implementation of animal protection by non-profit institutions such as the Susy Utzinger Foundation, which raises legal questions, among others, in connection with the Civil Code, the Law of Obligations, the Law of Foundations and other areas of law.

With my professional expertise, I contribute valuable input to the work of the foundation's board of trustees, ensuring that animal welfare can be implemented sustainably and effectively in an operational manner.

"My interest in animal welfare issues arose during my studies at the University of Zurich. At that time, Switzerland had its first federal animal welfare law. Parliament debated questions such as: When does a living being qualify as an animal? Which animals require special protection? What should be criminalized? And who should enforce the new law?"

Naturally, the concept of animal welfare is also subject to change over time. New – sometimes legal – questions arise and must be resolved in animal welfare practice. That's why I'm involved with the SUST.

"During several years abroad, I experienced firsthand how much stray animals in particular depend on our help. For many of these animals, help either doesn't come at all, comes too late, or their owners simply cannot afford medical treatment."

What impresses me most about SUST is that it provides immediate, unbureaucratic assistance in numerous locations, while always striving for a sustainable commitment. The goal is to prevent animal suffering in the long term and thereby enable countless animals to have a better future. As a volunteer member of the foundation's board, I am happy to contribute to this effort.