On December 12, National Councilor Matthias Aebischer (SP/BE) submitted a motion to ban the import of fur products from animals that have been subject to animal cruelty. Stiftung für das Tier im Recht (TIR; Foundation for the Animal in the Law) has been advocating for an import ban for years and now hopes that the proposal will be approved by the parliament.

In August, the Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA) opened a consultation on the amendment to the Federal Act on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (BGCITES). In its legal statement, the Stiftung für das Tier im Recht (TIR) welcomes the intended tightening of sanctions and introduces additional amendments. In addition, we advocate greater consideration of animal welfare interests within the framework of species protection legislation.

From August 17 to August 28, 2019, the 18th CITES Conference of the Parties was held in Geneva. For twelve days the Parties discussed the implementation and amendment of the Convention. Overall, TIR offers a positive summary of the conference: for many species already listed in CITES the protection has been increased, other species - such as giraffes - have been added to the CITES Appendices.

Today, VIER PFOTEN, ProTier, and the Stiftung für das Tier im Recht (TIR) launched their current awareness raising campaign against wild animals in circuses in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. The ban is absolutely necessary for animal welfare reasons. For one, it is hardly possible to provide the animals with species-appropriate housing conditions. But presenting wild animals in the circus ring is also oftentimes in violation of the constitutional principle of animal dignity protection. Nevertheless, unlike many other countries, Switzerland still allows wild animals in circuses.

Basel's citizens made their choice clear with 54.56% of the votes against the construction of a large marine aquarium. Prior to the vote, the Stiftung für das Tier im Recht (TIR) had warned against the aquarium for reasons of animal welfare and species conservation and is very pleased with the outcome.

The Centre for Animal Rights Law was inaugurated in Cambridge with an opening conference on "Animal Rights Law: Present and Future". Leading animal rights experts from around the world discussed new approaches to the question of how and to what extent animals should be granted rights in the future. The Stiftung für das Tier im Recht (TIR) was also represented at the event.

The TIR calendar is quite popular because it not only contains wonderful animal photos but also answers a monthly question regarding the human-animal relationship. April is dedicated to the question "How does the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) regulate cat ownership?".

In the fall of 2018, the Stiftung für das Tier im Recht (TIR) filed a criminal complaint against the slaughterhouses of Avenches and Moudon based on video material provided by the animal rights organization "Pour l'Egalité d'Animale (PEA)". In the Avenches case, the public prosecutor's office of Vaud has now sentenced a slaughterhouse employee to a fine of 250 Swiss francs. TIR is disappointed to hear that the sentence was so lenient and criticizes the law enforcement authorities for failing to adequately apply the animal welfare-related penal provisions.

Many native animal species breed in spring. In some cantons, dog owners are therefore required to keep their dogs on a leash in forests. The Stiftung für das Tier im Recht (TIR) urges dog owners to make sure that their dogs do not disturb or hunt wildlife, regardless of the regulation in their respective canton.

Around 65 million chickens are reared and slaughtered in Switzerland each year. In addition, according to official estimates, more than 1.5 billion eggs were consumed in Switzerland in 2018, setting a new record. Despite this horrendous figure, the conditions in which the animals are kept and killed hardly ever get any public attention. Animals in the poultry and egg industry are subjected to extremely harsh living conditions. Sadly, the authorities responsible for the enforcement of the animal welfare legislation still fail to give chickens the required level of attention.

Almost 70% of Zurich's voters rejected an amendment to the cantonal dog legislation, which would have resulted in the abolition of compulsory training courses for dog owners. The Zürcher Tierschutz (Zurich Aimal Welfare Association) and the Stiftung für das Tier im Recht (TIR) are in favor of compulsory training and recommended rejection of the amendment prior to the vote. The training courses serve not only to protect humans but also to ensure the wellbeing of dogs.

In June 2018, the animal welfare organizations Network for Animal Protection – NetAP and the Stiftung für das Tier im Recht (TIR) submitted a petition calling for the introduction of mandatory neutering of outdoor cats with 115'000 signatures to parliament. In support of the request, National Council member Doris Fiala (FDP/ZH) presented a parliamentary proposal to impose mandatory neutering of outdoor cats on November 29, 2018. However, in its statement of February 20, the Federal Council recommended rejection of the proposal. TIR is disappointed with the position taken by the Federal Council and criticizes its statement.

In circuses, the wellbeing and dignity of animals, which are both legally protected in Switzerland, are seriously impaired solely for the purpose of entertainment. It is high time for all circuses to adopt a modern approach to entertainment and drop wild animals in their shows. The new campaign by Vier Pfoten, the Stiftung für das Tier im Recht (TIR), and ProTier underpin the call for a statutory ban on wild animals in circuses.

On January 4, 2019, the CITES Secretariat published 57 proposals to amend the list of species subject to CITES regulations submitted by the CITES member states. The Stiftung für das Tier im Recht (TIR) keeps track of the activities of the CITES bodies and promotes the best possible protection for all animals.

Animal welfare calls for unique ideas when it comes to raising public awareness for animal cruelty. The Stiftung für das Tier im Recht (TIR) has therefore once again chosen to work with renowned advertising agency Ruf Lanz. Featuring animals in BDSM costumes and the slogan "No animal takes pleasure in suffering", our campaign calls to mind that in Switzerland, too, countless animals fall victim to abuse.