Swiss vets seek public funding for wildlife care

Swiss veterinary practices are often left paying for the treatment of injured and sick wild animals, the Swiss Veterinary Association says. SRF reports that the association is calling for public funding to cover the costs.

Wildlife is increasingly moving into residential areas, and people may find an injured hedgehog or sick bird. The association’s president, Roberto Mossi, warns people not to handle an animal before seeking advice. The right response depends on the species, and a person was recently bitten by a fox, he said.

For a young bird that cannot fly, people should usually leave it alone because its parents may return to care for it. If they are unsure, they can call a bird rescue centre for advice. The association recommends contacting a wildlife ranger or the police about deer and foxes, and taking hedgehogs, which are protected, to a hedgehog rescue centre. People should not try to put a dying animal out of its misery themselves; a vet or wildlife ranger should do so humanely.

People often bring hedgehogs and birds to the nearest veterinary practice. If they formally ask the vet to treat the animal, they are responsible for the bill. But they can instead hand it over without taking responsibility, leaving the practice to absorb the cost. Vets must provide first aid to unowned animals even when no one pays.

The work can range from a brief examination to more involved care. For a badly injured sparrow, a practice might decide to euthanise the bird, using pain relief, anaesthetic and materials costing 5 to 10 francs, as well as 15 to 30 minutes of staff time. Treating a hedgehog bitten by a marten can require a vet to reopen the practice in the evening and find a place at a hedgehog centre.

The association is collecting data from practices nationwide to estimate the total unpaid costs for the first time. At Zurich’s animal hospital, more than 1,000 wild animals are treated each year, and unbilled services cost about 300,000 francs annually. Around 80 per cent of that amount is for wildlife. The association estimates that a small practice treats one or two wild animals a month, while a larger rural practice may see two or more a week. It aims to publish a nationwide estimate in 2027.

Some cantons contribute to the costs, but the association wants a consistent approach and says public authorities should pay. Since 2025, vets have been able to provide first aid to wild animals without first obtaining a permit from a wildlife ranger. The association says the work serves the public interest, including because treating a sick fox may be the first indication that a contagious disease is circulating.