MILESTONES

Old animal transport vehicle used by the "Cantonal Animal Protection Association of Zurich“

 

Modest beginnings – a hand-drawn association magazine cover and the simple domicile

 

The President welcoming the 25,000th member in 1979

 
© G. Staerk / Zürcher Tierschutz

“Zürcher Stadtmusikanten”: Performances of this adaption of the popular music-theater (Bremen Town Musicians) throughout the canton were part of the anniversary festivities in 2006.

History
 

Founded by a wolf(f)

 

Reverend Wolff and his spouse.

 

The year 1856 marked the beginning of a national movement to defend animal rights. Reverend Philipp Heinrich Wolff of Weiningen (Zurich) put into action the plan of his fellow citizen, Mrs. Vögeli-Holzlaub, i.e. the foundation of a "Zurich association against animal cruelty". The open-minded Cantonal Councilman knew how to bridge the gap between town and country, thus initiating a broadly supported movement.

 

A pragmatic approach

The protagonists of the time chose to adopt a moderate approach towards combating the "most blatant forms of abuse“ and it is thus that, shortly before his death, Reverend Wolff was able to conclude: "Increasingly, thanks to the activities of animal protection associations and their spokespersons, the public has come to the understanding that reasonable animal protection is not a strange pastime of sentimental mavericks but an obligation of well-minded, insightful and compassionate people to be taken seriously“.

 

A year after the foundation of the association, the Canton of Zurich issued a law against cruelty to animals – an achievement to which Wolff, the politician, had contributed decisively. It is also on his initiative that the Swiss umbrella organization for animal protection was founded in Olten in 1861. Nevertheless, it is only 78 years after Wolff’s demise that the Federal Animal Protection Act was enacted, in 1981.

 

Cattle on Sechseläutenwiese – this could have been a possible headline in the fall of 2006. To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the association, the members organized a live demonstration on animal keeping in the heart of Zurich. A wonderfully illustrated book, "Blickpunkt Tiere”, provides information on these festivities as well as the most important stages towards ensuring modern animal protection. (More)