World Animal Welfare Day
4 October
We give the animals a voice
The establishment of Gut Aiderbichl began almost 25 years ago. The vision of helping animals became a mission and will never be finished. But helping also means educating – one of Gut Aiderbichl’s goals for active animal welfare.
Gut Aiderbichl is an important institution for animal welfare in Europe. Our animal sanctuaries in six European countries (Austria, Germany, Switzerland, France, Romania and Hungary) are now home to just over 8,000 rescued animals. The reasons for our rescue operations are always different: Authorities contact us because animals have been confiscated. Gut Aiderbichl’s animal rescuers set off when it comes to found animals, abandoned animals, escaped animals, animal hoarding or animal cruelty.
You only protect what you know.
– Konrad Lorenz
Therefore we create animal visitor centres like Gut Aiderbichlin Henndorf near Salzburg, in Deggendorf near Passau and in Iffeldorf near Munich. These contribute to this, that peoplemeetanimals, caress them and experience their feelings. The experiences with our animals teach jhow to like alt and lead to Uthinking: Animals are fellow creatures, equal to us and deserve respectful treatment. With the following projectswe want to educate and raise awareness.
The Gut Aiderbichl projects
Help for native wild animals
The story behind each animal is very individual. Some wild animals have come to us as babies – like our vixen Stella – and have found a home for life at Gut Aiderbichl. Others are only temporary guests and can be released back into the wild, such as the rescued squirrels, which will be released from the enclosure in due course.
To the project: Our commitment to native wildlife
Our commitment to horses
Many of the rescued horses were rejected, discarded from breeding stables, taken to the horse slaughterhouse: given away because they were no longer able to perform athletically or could no longer afford the veterinary costs. Without use, without performance, the horses are not valuable enough. Many of them are at an advanced age. What makes life worth living for a horse in old age? As there are currently few answers to this question, this topic is a particular concern of the animal welfare community.
To the project: Our commitment to horses
Clever Pig Lab
About three million pigs are kept in Austria. Pigs are more than just meat suppliers. How do pigs think? How do they organise their social environment and how do they learn? These are the main questions that a study team from the Messerli Research Institute has been investigating since 2014 together with a herd of 37 Kune-Kune pigs. As the behavioural observation project could not be extended in 2022, the “Clever Pig Lab” has been based at Gut Aiderbichl since autumn 2022 and will continue here.
To the project: Clever Pig Lab
Our commitment to galgos
The galgos’ sole purpose is to win in chases. If they lose, they are punished – in an unimaginably cruel way! Every year in Spain alone, tens of thousands of hunting dogs such as galgos, but also podencos, are killed in agonising fashion. We would like to draw attention to the fate of hunting dogs from Spain, because only information can put an end to animal suffering.
Dramatic call for help from the war zone in Ukraine
People and animals are suffering from the war. Under the most difficult conditions, Gut Aiderbichl’s animal rescuers managed to bring a total of 123 animalsto safety in two rescue missions. Gut Aiderbichl rented and renovated an empty animal shelter in Bissendorf near Osnabrück to house the animals. The animals were exposed to great psychological stress, are very traumatised and urgently need medical care.
To the project: Emergency evacuation from Ukraine
Our commitment to affected animals
We should learn to treat living beings without prejudice. Animals – just like us humans – can be affected by both physical and mental disabilities. Animals have a right to a fulfilling life and this also includes animals with disabilities.
About the project: Our commitment to animals with disabilities
Neutering project
Stretchers fight for survival every day. Many of the strays are malnourished and live off waste. The suffering is particularly bad for pregnant or nursing mother animals. Snow and icy temperatures also make life a misery for strays. Many strays are infected with parasites or diseases that can spread rapidly as a result of their stray life.
To the project: Our commitment to stray cats
Our commitment to Bengal tigers
It is unique in the history of Gut Aiderbichl that we have received an enquiry for five Bengal tigers.
Gut Aiderbichl is solution-oriented and even though it was difficult to obtain all the necessary permits, a species-appropriate enclosure with plenty of space and appropriate safety precautions was built in September 2024 at Liska Animal Zoo, Romania. Completion of the spacious outdoor areas for the tigers is planned for spring 2025.
"Thank you and I look forward to continuing to dream with you, always further. For a reality that we can only create together".
– Dieter Ehrengruber, Gut Aiderbichl
