Projects and finance
We have been given appointments as an heir and legacies by numerous testators. It is only thanks to this active financial support of our objectives that the following organizations, projects and actions, just to name here the most important ones, could be supported and realized in the year under review:
a) Animal experiments
Fr. 40 000.- to the fund for scientific research without the use of laboratory animals to support the exploration of alternative methods for animal experiments and as a contribution to the scientific magazine "ALTEX".
b) Genetic engineering
Fr. 12 000.- to the Swiss team genetic engineering for their performance as a genetic engineering critical responsibility center.
c) Domestic pets
Fr. 10 000.- as a loan to the Animal Protection Society Neuchâtel for running their animal home.
Fr. 10 000.- to the emergency station for rodents at Obfelden.
Fr. 7 500.- for continuation of the active animal protection organization A.A.M.O.R. in Venezuela and for the fitting-out of a quarantine station in the animal home.
Fr. 10 000.- as rolling funds for the specific support of animal-considerate activities abroad.
Fr. 4 000.- for a series of lectures and courses regarding the control of the number of cats in the United Emirates (expert: PL Dr. Dennis Turner).
Fr. 3 000.- to the umbrella association for the care of animals who have arranged a new and higher quality in training zoo-keepers.
d) Farm animals
Fr. 30 000.- for the development of an "electronic nose" able to capture the boar teint of brawn.
Fr. 30 000.- in favor of the animal project Ballenberg.
Fr. 8 000.- for an investigation on how bioanimals are being treated with regard to transportation and slaughter.
Fr. 4 500.- in favor of the international association for farm animal ownership who engage themselves for the spreading of animal ownership systems appropriate to the species.
e) Wild animals, zoos
Fr. 40 000.- continuing to support the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenia.
Fr. 30 000.- as a contribution to the wildcat research project in Zurich.
Fr. 30 000.- as a contribution to the activities of the Swiss whale protection coalition, the association being a member of them.
Fr. 20 000.- to support the activities of the fair fish society who commit themselves to fishing and fish culture of native fishes in ways according to the species.
Fr. 25 000.- for the operation of the hedgehog center in Zurich.
Fr. 20 000.- as rolling funds for the support of hedgehog projects and hedgehog care.
Fr. 18 000.- to continue the "Building and Animal" project which gives the clients valuable animal protection tips when constructing new buildings and renovating old buildings.
Fr. 15 000.- to the Pro Riet Society for the underground cabling of overhead cables which over and over again are birds undoing.
Fr. 15 000.- for an investigation why reed buntings in Zurich are dwindling away.
Fr. 15 000.- to prepare a conference book for the conference "whale zone 02" at Rüschlikon.
Fr. 15 000.- for two actions within the context of the work of the society "Nature is close".
Fr. 10 000.- continuing to support the "CH-Wild-Info" magazine.
Fr. 15 000.- for the investigation and evaluation of the living conditions of the threatened jackdaws in Zurich City.
Fr. 5 000.- fo the operation of the bat protection emergency telephone.
Fr. 3 000.- as a contribution to the investigations regarding the number of woodpeckers in the canton of Zurich.
f) Legal animal protection / ethics
Fr. 15 000.- for a professional animal protection lobbying int the Federal Parliament.
Fr. 8 000.- as a contribution to a book and CD-ROM project for the Zurich cantonal animal protection law.
g) Animal protection and youth
Fr. 10 000.- in favor of the "forest" backpack school for educational activities regarding nature and animal protection.
Approximately Fr. 60 000.- for the production of the homework books and the colouring book "Willy Wurzel" as well as other publications in the field of animal protection and youth.
|
|
A n n u a l R e p o r t
Introduction
The past society year was - from the point of view of the Zurich Animal Protection Society - marked in two respects by a new way of thinking. Let us first and foremost point out the revision of the Swiss Animal Protection Law which will preoccupy the minds of all organizations and of all those who have to do with animal protection. After 20 years of observing with little pleasure and much frustration the then current law or rather its bylaw, we did not want to miss the opportunity to start off to new shores in the realm of animal protection by making all our demands, but also the requests within the framework of the announcement known to the Federal Council (we have selectively reported on this in the society magazine). Unfortunately, the Swiss capital Berne did not take account of our request in the desired and also necessary way, just as secretly feared. On the contrary, this law, would it come into force, would be a step backwards. So let us wait and see to what extent the Parliament will pull the last teeth out of this skeleton entity and if we feel then obliged to pull the emergency brake via referendum. At least, the time of change in another field has really taken place. The new legal status of the animals has now taken the parliament obstacle. As soon as the relevant amendments of the law will come into force, nobody will be able anymore to lump everything together with the animals, i. e. chairs, cars, ballpoints and washing machines. The animals have moulted and are no longer a thing. A truly wonderful success and a good feeling for all animal lovers. Last but not least, the last quarter was marked by the preparations for the new appearance of the society (see page 19). Hand in hand with the daily work using all one's strength in favor of cows, cats, rhinos, turtoises and turtles, many heads have thought up, tried out and discussed new ideas and finally put them into effect: The Zurich Animal Protection Society. We help! This slogan but also the new logo and the corresponding role model shall accompany us throughout the coming years and motivate us so that henceforth we will be able to report on wonderful successes in the world of animals rather than on cruelty to animals.
Minutes of the general meeting
As it has already been published in the summer edition, the ballot took place in May 2002. More than 3000 members approved with an overwhelming majority the annual report as well as the annual account 2001 and discharged the executive board as well as the auditors. Clearly confirmed were also the members of the executive board Fred W. Bucher, Franz Steinbrüchel and Andrea Widmer-Graf for another term of office. Finally the modification of art. 2 of our rules and regulations (objective) also met with approval which ought to safeguard the continuation of tax exemption of the society and on the other hand puts the Zurich Animal Protection Society in a position to defend themselves against unjustified attacks in connection with the current obtaining of means. We would here once again like to thank all voters for their active collaboration.
Public relations work
Our public appearance is spreading out also in the year under review on the proven means of direct mailings, the publication of our magazine with a colourful mix of animal protection topics, the internet pages or also the taking part in platforms or media conferences. Besides the mailings to our members for the purpose of inviting them to renew their membership and the ballots in the spring, the first edition of our Scenes was launched in June - a publication similar to a newspaper with a lot of information all around our animal home. As is known, the building of a new run-out yard for dogs became a necessity. In September then followed already Scenes no 2. This mailing treated the topic "dangers" which in our modern civilization is steadily increasing and threatening the animals. In November, the society informed the public within the context of the proven and popular wild animal series with the brochure Long Ear with four characters, which is dedicated to the hare and shows an authentic living picture of an unfortunatley all to rare fellow occupant of our artificial landscape. Also in November our society had the opportunity to report on the Zurich experiences with the lawyer in criminal cases ("lawyer for animals") on the occasion of a media conference in Basle. As is known, the canton of Zurich is here all on his own with this important office.The media response was very nice and pleasant and from our point of view we do hope that both Basle will soon have their own lawyer for animals. Reports from all over Switzerland on unpunished cruelty to animals or ridiculous punishment of convicted culprits show that such a lawyer is an urgent necessity everywhere. During the spring and winter sessions of the federal counsels, Claudia Mertens and Bernhard Trachsel attended two conferences of the parliamentary team for animal protection in Berne and tried there "from face to face" to make our request tempting to the members of parliament. In the context of the Zurich holiday passports, bats could also last year be observed on three evenings. A lot of knowlege regarding the bats'way of life was conveyed on the spot. In the aviary Seebach children learned many interesting things about the way of life of our free living birds and about the duties of an urban care station for birds. In the past year a new event took place in our animal home (see also society magazine no 197 / fall 2002). A great number of children who do not yet have a pet attended the event. After an intensive day and with a lot of interesting information about pet ownership in ways appropriate to the species and a handicrafted animal in the form of a soap, the children returned back home. Our commitment with free of charge publications containing information all around animal protection for schoolgirls and schoolboys with the homework book as well as the colouring book "Willy Wurzel" was maintained for another year.
Animal protection cases and complaints
from Gabi Valente
In the year 2002 our inspector worked on 68 cases of complaint; 7 cases thereof had to be transferred directly to the Cantonal Veterinary Office. When reports with an urgent note came in, we referred the person lodging the complaint to the Veterinary Office. This often happens due to lacking cooperation of the accused pet owners because they do not listen to reason.We want to expresss here our heartfelt thanks to the officer in charge Roland Jegerlehner. He often has a very difficult task to accomplish which needs a lot of tact. For instance when pet owners are wrongly being reported to the animal protection society because of disputes in the neighbourhood. The reports we received touched upon the individual animal species as follows:
Dogs 32 cases
Cats 11 cases
Birds 5 cases
Small pets 9 cases (rabbits, guinea pigs)
Farm animals 9 cases
Special 2 cases (fishes and tortoise)
Unfortunately, it is to be feared that the number of unreported cases for evils especially in the field of pet ownership is very large. It often happens that people buy small animals for their children so that they can caress them. If, however, the joy and the pleasure is over and gone, many of these animals must live in too small cages for years and mostly without a social partner. Much educational work has, therefore, still to be done in this field.
Personel
First and foremost we wish to express our heartfelt thanks to the leading zoo-keepers Katja Schaufelberger and Gabi Valente who additionally commit themselves to apprentice training. Moreover, we want to say thank you to our other staff members Cinzia Bölsterli, Sonja Bugmann, Barbara Guggenbühl, Cristina Ricciardi, Anita Winkler as well as to Eva Clivio (female apprentice 1st year). Finally, our thanks also go to our two secretaries Sarah Klappert und Karin Povolo, the aunts who always have a caressing gesture for the animals, who take the dogs for a walk and who have the overall control.
Statistics
Numerous dogs, cats and some small animals found a new home in the course of last year. Detailed information on this may be gathered from the two tables. Thanks to our new home for small animals, we are now able to welcome rabbits and guinea pigs all year round. Accordingly, we found a new home for 16 small animals in the year under review.
Dogs
The year 2001 was an exceptionally good year with 69 dogs who found a new home. This considerable number must be attributed to the great number of pups we could give away. In the year under review we were again on average with 47 dogs. A dog finds a new home after approximately 75 days. As a rule, dog foundlings stay in the animal home a longer period of time until a new pet owner is found than dogs who are no more wanted. The latter ones are usually in good condition and clean, however, quite often not very well educated. This means a lot more additional work for the persons taking care of them and more preparation to be successfull in finding a new home.
Cats
Last year we have found a new home for 135 cats. Here, too it is evident that it is easier to find a new home for cats who are no more wanted than for cat foundlings. The average length of stay of a cat in the animal home is 58 days and thus somewhat less than for dogs.
Cantonal commissions
Animal experiment commission
The commission year was rather strenuous. On the one hand the assessment procedure with some of the applicants takes such a long time (for several reasons), that one has to study over and over again the same project which is a lavish and inefficient undertaking. On the other hand, there are always the same problems with the same applicants which is rather wearing; it is just like tilting at windmills. Another problem from the animal protection point of view is the election of new professors and with them new research fields at the universities which results, as a consequence, in new animal experiments. Fortunately we can also report on pleasant things: Thanks to new educational guidelines and a better training of experts taking part in animal experiments, a real improvement in animal protection consciousness can be detected. Certain researchers, it's true, are busy doing animal experiments, they do it, however, with great care and prudence for the animals. One can also notice that from time to time applications are being refused or rejected by the commission ( quorum) which certainly would have been approved in the past. Of course, it is pitiful that the refusal or rejection may possibly be reconsidered in new proceedings so that the experiments finally still get somewhere. However, small progresses are still progresses and the more demanding and stronger the commission becomes as a whole, the better it is for the animals. Sometimes clever researchers withdraw a project before it is being refused. (See also the detailed artice on page 23 and following).
Bernhard Trachsel, managing director
Hedgehog center Zurich
The hedgehog center in Zurich (IZZ) is an institution whose main objective is the environmental education. The past year has shown that we make progress in gaining field here. Just to underline that our work was successful, let us mention the following award: On December 10 we were presented at the Zurich University with the award for nature and environmental protection from the Zurich Zoological Society. Of course, this recognition made us very happy. Our address with telephone, fax and e-mail has become important. Since spring, 2002 we also have a new, attractive and much visited website: www.izz.ch
Offer
The numerous schoolgirls and schoolboys who come to visit us with their teachers, learn a lot about the needs of wild animals and take the information they get back home with them. More than 1500 telephone calls show that our daily consulting hours are eagerly used. More than 150 hedgehogs have received expert medical care and have then again been put back to live in the wild.
|
