FOUR PAWS in Switzerland Champions Animal Welfare
06.10.2025 | from FOUR PAWS - Animal Welfare Foundation
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06.10.2025, On this year's World Animal Day, October 4, 2025, FOUR PAWS in Switzerland takes the opportunity not only to look back on 25 years of animal welfare work as part of the anniversary, but also to take stock and outline the coming years in animal welfare. The global animal welfare organisation continues to consistently strive to sustainably improve the lives of animals under human influence. Despite numerous successes, the commitment to animals remains as urgent as ever – in Switzerland and worldwide.
FOUR PAWS is committed to reducing animal suffering – through education, rescuing animals in distress, establishing safe havens in rescue centres, promoting animal-friendly practices in agriculture and the fashion industry, and long-term legislative reforms.
"Our goal is to improve the lives of animals in the long term – wherever people bear responsibility," says Alexandra Mandoki, board member of FOUR PAWS International and former managing director of FOUR PAWS Switzerland. "The challenges of the coming years are great, but we know from the past, change is possible."
A focus of future work is on improving the living conditions of so-called farm animals. FOUR PAWS calls for binding legal standards that guarantee species-appropriate living conditions. At the same time, the fight against international wildlife trade remains a central concern. The aim is to stop the commercial trade in wildlife, enforce a comprehensive ban on private wildlife ownership and circus wildlife, and create safe havens for rescued animals. The protection of stray animals is also a key focus: Worldwide, FOUR PAWS advocates for programmes that provide stray dogs and cats with medical care, spaying and neutering, and legal protection.
In addition, political work in Switzerland remains in focus, as initiatives to restrict fireworks and those involving fur and foie gras are currently in the parliamentary process.
With awareness campaigns, political pressure, and concrete rescue operations, FOUR PAWS has already enabled countless animals to live better lives. "Our anniversary is no reason for us to rest," emphasises Alexandra Mandoki. "It is an incentive to continue working together with society, political decision-makers, and partners towards an animal-friendly future."
The anniversary exhibition goes on tour
The travelling exhibition "25 Years of FOUR PAWS in Switzerland" will make stops at several locations. Part of the exhibition can be seen from September 29 to October 31 at Gate27, the centrally located conference centre in Winterthur. All other exhibition venues and dates will be published in due course. Further information about the anniversary or the history of FOUR PAWS can be found here.
Media
contact:
Chantal Häberling, Communications Switzerland
FOUR PAWS - Animal Welfare Foundation
Altstetterstrasse 124
8048 Zurich
Tel. +41 43 311 80 90
presse@vier-pfoten.ch
www.vier-pfoten.ch
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FOUR PAWS - Animal Welfare Foundation
FOUR PAWS is the global animal welfare organisation for animals under direct human influence, recognising grievances, rescuing animals in need, and protecting them. Founded in 1988 by Heli Dungler and friends in Vienna, the organisation advocates for a world where people treat animals with respect, empathy, and understanding. The focus of its sustainable campaigns and projects are stray dogs and cats, as well as companion, farm, and wild animals – such as bears, big cats, and orangutans – from inadequate housing and disaster and conflict zones.
With offices in Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Great Britain, Kosovo, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, South Africa, Thailand, Ukraine, the USA, and Vietnam, as well as rescue centres for animals in need in eleven countries, FOUR PAWS provides rapid assistance and long-term solutions. In Switzerland, the animal welfare foundation is a cooperation partner of Arosa Bear Land, the first bear rescue centre offering a species-appropriate home to rescued bears from poor conditions.
Source: FOUR PAWS - Animal Welfare Foundation, Press release
Original article published on: VIER PFOTEN in der Schweiz macht sich stark für Tiere