Susy Utzinger, born in 1969, has been actively involved in animal welfare for decades, particularly concerning domestic and companion animals. For fifteen years, she managed nationwide animal rescue organizations and their emergency centers, drove animal rescue vehicles, and established two Swiss animal shelters. As a freelance journalist and animal photographer, she regularly publishes articles on animal welfare issues in various Swiss and German media outlets and frequently gives lectures in Switzerland and many other countries. This internationally recognized animal rights activist has received numerous animal welfare awards and honors from various countries over the years for her work.
In 1993, she completed an ethology internship at the Wolf Park in Indiana (USA). This was followed by various specialized courses and further training. In 1996, Susy Utzinger completed a two-year program as an animal psychology consultant at the IET in Hirzel. After founding the "Animal Rescue Service – Life Takes Precedence" foundation in 1993 (which she still chairs today as honorary president of the board of trustees), the Zurich native began to focus more intensely on improving the quality of animal welfare projects in Switzerland and many other countries with the founding of the "Susy Utzinger Foundation for Animal Welfare" (SUST) in 2000. This dedicated animal rights activist tirelessly trains professionals, optimizes animal shelters, and is actively involved in countless projects – including those in Romania and Hungary. Together with her staff and volunteers, she has already enabled hundreds of thousands of animals to live a better and more species-appropriate life.
In 2017, her biography, "Homeless – from the diary of an animal rights activist," was published, reporting on her tireless pioneering work at home and abroad, but also offering a critical look behind the scenes of today's animal protection.
Susy Utzinger is currently co-managing director of the «Susy Utzinger Foundation for Animal Welfare» (based in Kollbrunn) together with Benjamin Altorfer and president of the board of trustees of the «Animal Rescue Service – Life Takes Precedence» foundation in Winkel near Bülach.
In her book "HOMELESS – Diary of an Animal Rights Activist," Susy Utzinger recounts her fascination with animals, her deep commitment to animal welfare, and also her difficult childhood. Through compelling stories, she revisits the past twenty years, offering insights into her tireless pioneering work both at home and abroad, and recalling countless sad, touching, and happy stories involving the animals in her care. She also takes a critical look behind the scenes of contemporary animal welfare, a topic that has undergone fundamental changes in recent years.
When this dedicated animal rights activist is asked today about her most important insights into responsible animal welfare, she replies: "Sustainable animal welfare is more than just a bowl of water and enough food; above all, it means a lot of work, discipline, and perseverance." And so, the founder of the "Susy Utzinger Foundation for Animal Welfare" tirelessly trains specialists, optimizes animal shelters, and plays a leading role in countless projects – including those in Romania and Hungary. This Swiss woman has never been deterred from her mission, neither by professional setbacks nor by personal tragedies. The positive result: Together with her staff and volunteers, she has already enabled hundreds of thousands of animals to live a species-appropriate and better life.
You can buy the book in stores or order here.
Here you will find some articles about Susy Utzinger as well as reports on her book "Homeless - from the diary of an animal rights activist".
All articles about SUST and Susy Utzinger can be found in our Media review.