Animal shelters & rescues in Switzerland: helpers near you

Stiftung TBB Schweiz – Tierheim an der Birs

The largest animal shelter in the Basel region: adoptions, pet boarding and a lost-and-found animal office. Visits without appointment; adoptions by appointment only.

Birsfelderstrasse 45, 4052 Basel

Available: Visits Wed–Fri 2.30pm–5pm, Sat 1.30pm–4pm

Berner Tierschutz – Berner Tierzentrum

Animal welfare society founded in 1844 with an animal centre in Hinterkappelen near Bern: adoptions, taking in animals and advice for the Bern region.

Wohlenstrasse 55, 3032 Hinterkappelen

Available: Office Mon–Fri 10am–12pm, 2pm–4pm

SGPA – Refuge de Vailly (Genf)

Shelter of the Geneva animal protection society SGPA in Bernex: takes in and rehomes cats, dogs and small pets; dogs by appointment only.

Avenue de Cavoitanne 5, 1233 Bernex

Available: Phone 1.30pm–5pm

Tierschutz Luzern – Tierheim an der Ron

Shelter of the Lucerne animal welfare society in Root: takes in and rehomes animals, visits by arrangement only. Reachable by phone Mon–Fri 1pm–4pm.

Leisibachstrasse 1, 6037 Root

Available: Mon–Fri 10am–11.30am, 2pm–5pm; Sat 10am–4pm

SPAB – Società Protezione Animali Bellinzona

Animal welfare society in Bellinzona with a shelter in Gorduno, helping animals in need. 24/7 emergency number; Gorduno shelter 091 829 40 22.

Via Cantonale 36, 6518 Gorduno

Available: Emergencies 24/7

SPALV – Società Protezione Animali Locarno e Valli

Animal welfare society with a shelter and pet boarding in Gordola, active in the Locarno region for over 90 years. Emergencies 24/7; shelter 091 859 39 69.

Via Stradonino 2, 6596 Gordola

Available: Emergencies 24/7

SVPA – Refuge Sainte-Catherine (Lausanne)

Shelter of the Vaud animal protection society in Lausanne: takes in animals and handles emergencies 24/7 (outside opening hours, ring at the gate), plus a wildlife care centre.

Route de Berne 318, 1000 Lausanne 25

Available: Mon–Fri 9am–12pm, 1.30pm–5pm; Sat 9am–4pm; animal intake/emergencies 24/7

Tierschutzverein Winterthur und Umgebung

Animal welfare society founded in 1898 with a cat shelter and cat hotel in Bertschikon: advice on keeping animals, taking in and rehoming cats in the Winterthur area.

Kantonsstrasse 3, 8543 Bertschikon

Available: Office Mon–Fri 9am–11am

Zürcher Tierschutz – Tierhaus

Animal welfare society with its own animal house in Zurich: rehomes animals, takes in surrendered and found animals, advises on care and welfare and accepts welfare reports.

Zürichbergstrasse 263, 8044 Zürich

Schweizer Tierschutz STS

Umbrella organisation of Swiss animal welfare societies, based in Basel. Steps in when authorities fail to act and runs a reporting office for dubious animal adverts.

Dornacherstrasse 101, 4053 Basel

Stiftung für das Tier im Recht (TIR)

Specialist centre for animal welfare law in Zurich: answers members of the public's legal questions on animal keeping, welfare and cruelty via an enquiry form.

Rigistrasse 9, 8006 Zürich

Available: Mon–Fri 8am–12pm, 1.30pm–5.30pm

VIER PFOTEN Schweiz

International animal welfare organisation with an office in Zurich: rescues animals in need, exposes abuses and accepts tip-offs about animal suffering.

Altstetterstrasse 124, 8048 Zürich

Tierschutzverein Stadt St. Gallen und Umgebung

STS section for St. Gallen: adoptions, advice, help with found animals and emergencies. At weekends reachable for emergencies only (078 225 37 32).

Feldbachstrasse 6, 9000 St. Gallen

Available: Mon–Fri 9am–12.30pm, 2pm–5pm