Basel’s Animal Welfare Network

A few months ago, one of my cats disappeared. For two long nights, I paced the streets near our home, checked garages and garden sheds, called Malinka’s name into the darkness, and felt that peculiar mix of panic and helplessness that comes when a beloved pet vanishes. Every passing hour deepened my worry - yet also my gratitude that Basel has a strong and compassionate safety net for lost animals.

That experience eventually led me to the Tierheim an der Birs, the organization at the heart of Basel’s animal welfare system. Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with Patrick Ulmann, the Tierheim’s CEO, to learn what really happens behind the scenes when a pet goes missing, how the community can help, and what challenges this essential institution faces today.

More Than Just a Shelter

The Tierheim an der Birs is the official point of contact for lost and found animals in Basel-Landschaft, and also takes in stray, surrendered, and confiscated animals from both cantons. It provides them with veterinary care, shelter, and a path either back to their original home or towards a new family. But as Patrick Ulmann explains, their work extends far beyond what most people imagine.

“We’re currently the largest animal shelter in Switzerland, with space for up to 300 animals at a time,” Ulmann says. “In 2024, we saw about a 50% increase in animals surrendered or found compared with the previous year. Every animal that comes in - whether found on the street or handed over by an owner - receives medical assessment, proper care, and a fair chance either to return home or start a new life through adoption.”

Dogs and cats make up the majority of residents, but the Tierheim also provides refuge for rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, and more unusual pets such as tortoises and hedgehogs.

That work depends on close cooperation with the Schweizerische Tiermeldezentrale (STMZ), Switzerland's official national registry for lost and found animals.

"STMZ maintains the national registry and is the official authority in Basel-Stadt," Ulmann explains. "In Basel-Landschaft, we're the official contact point. Regardless of the canton, we're the ones who actually receive the animals, provide veterinary treatment, and keep them safe until an owner can be found or we can begin the rehoming process.” 

And sometimes, those reunions are nothing short of miraculous. “One of the most memorable cases was a cat reunited with its owner after six years,” Ulmann recalls, smiling. “The owner had long given up hope, but because the cat was microchipped, we were able to trace the registration and make that phone call. Those moments remind us exactly why we do this work.”

For the team at Tierheim an der Birs, it’s never just about shelter - it’s about second chances, compassion, and the quiet triumph of bringing an animal home again.

What the Tierheim Needs Most

When I asked Ulmann how Basel residents could best support the Tierheim, his answer surprised me. It isn’t just about money - though funding remains a constant concern.

“Of course, financial donations are vital - our annual operating costs are around 3.6 million francs, and we receive no government funding,” he says. “But volunteers make an enormous difference. Last year, our dog walkers covered over 32,000 kilometres with the animals. That time, attention, and socialization are invaluable.”

Here’s how you can help:

Volunteer your time: Whether you enjoy walking dogs, lending a hand with administrative tasks, supporting events (from baking cakes to setting up stalls), or offering professional skills like photography or communications, every contribution makes a real difference.

Donate: The Tierheim relies heavily on donations to cover food, veterinary bills, and day-to-day operations. Every franc extends their capacity to care.

Sponsor an animal: You can sponsor an individual animal’s care, covering medical treatments and living costs while they await a permanent home.

Spread the word: Share posts about lost animals, fundraisers, and adoption events on social media. In a connected community like Basel, visibility matters - more eyes mean faster reunions and adoptions.

Raise awareness: Simply reminding neighbours about microchipping, ID tags, and proper registration strengthens the entire network of animal welfare in the city.

When Your Pet Goes Missing: What Really Works

My cat Malinka

When my own cat went missing, I quickly learnt that the first few hours are critical. Ulmann confirms this - and highlights where many owners go wrong.

“The biggest mistake is waiting,” he explains. “People hope their pet will return on its own. But the first step should be to report the missing animal to both the shelter and the cantonal registry. We constantly cross-check new arrivals with those reports - that’s how reunions happen.”

Here’s the essential checklist:

Search locally first: Check nearby garages, cellars, sheds, and hiding places. Cats, especially, often stay closer than expected.

Report it: If you're in Basel-Stadt, file a report at www.stmz.ch. If you're in Basel-Landschaft, contact the Tierheim an der Birs directly at 061 378 7878. In both cases, it's worth contacting both organizations to maximize your chances of a reunion, as the Tierheim receives animals from both cantons.

Put up flyers: Don’t underestimate the power of physical posters - they still work. In my case, a worker on their way to a job site in an underground area saw my flyer and later discovered my cat about ten meters below ground, … hiding beneath a pile of pallets. You can easily create flyers directly on the STMZ website.

Use social media: Post photos in local Facebook or WhatsApp groups for Basel pet owners.

Check identification: Make sure the microchip registration is up to date with ANIS (for cats) or AMICUS (for dogs).

“Microchipping changes everything,” Ulmann adds. “When a pet is chipped and properly registered, reunions often happen within hours. Without it, it’s incredibly hard to trace ownership. There’s still no national requirement, and we’re strong supporters of changing that.”

If You Find a Lost Pet: Know Your Legal Duties

Finding a stray animal and offering it shelter can feel like an act of kindness - but in Switzerland, it also carries legal responsibilities. Under Swiss law, anyone who finds a lost animal must try to contact its owner or, if the owner is unknown, report the find to the appropriate cantonal authority. In Basel-Stadt, this means reporting through STMZ, while in Basel-Landschaft, you should contact the Tierheim an der Birs directly.

“Anyone who finds an animal is legally required to report it,” explains Ulmann. “Many people don’t realize this and simply keep the animal, believing they’re rescuing it. But that can lead to legal problems. Always report first - then we can advise you properly.”

How to Tell If It’s Actually a Stray

A roaming animal isn’t always a lost one. Many cats, for example, make daily rounds far beyond their home turf, and some dogs are allowed to wander briefly off-lead in familiar neighbourhoods. A pet that appears well-fed, confident, and comfortable around people is often simply on its usual patrol. A glossy coat, neatly trimmed claws, and a healthy weight can all hint at an attentive owner waiting nearby.

A true stray or abandoned animal, by contrast, tends to wear its hardship visibly. Matted or dirty fur, a gaunt frame, or clear signs of long exposure to the elements can indicate that the animal has been on its own for some time. Behaviour can be just as telling: fearfulness, wariness, or sudden aggression often stem from prolonged stress or a lack of human contact.

If you’re unsure, it’s best to document what you see and seek expert advice. Taking a few photos and contacting the nearby vet or Tierheim can help determine the next steps. Staff there can scan the animal for a microchip and check recent STMZ reports, ensuring that, if it is lost, it has the best chance of finding its way back home.

Behind the Scenes: Challenges and Future Vision

Running an animal shelter brings pressures most people never see. I asked Ulmann what keeps him awake at night.

“We’re completely privately financed, so donations are our lifeline,” he says. “When global crises occur - like the war in Ukraine or economic downturns - support can drop overnight. At the same time, we’re seeing more surrendered pets, particularly long-living species like tortoises, because people underestimate the lifelong commitment.”

If resources were unlimited, Ulmann says, he’d extend the shelter’s impact beyond Basel.

“With unlimited funding, I’d invest in stronger political advocacy - mandatory microchipping, consistent animal welfare laws across cantons, and proper quarantine facilities for imported animals. Internationally, I’d focus on helping animals in their home countries rather than importing more into Switzerland.”

But already today, the Tierheim’s mission extends far beyond rescue and rehoming. It’s about prevention, education, and community responsibility.

“We’re expanding our hedgehog rehabilitation centre, building new enclosures for small animals, and improving our educational ‘animal trail’ to teach visitors about responsible pet ownership,” Ulmann explains. “Animal welfare isn’t something that happens inside a building - it’s a shared responsibility. Every resident can make a difference.”

A Community That Cares

Photo: Tierheim an der Birs

The Tierheim an der Birs is indeed more than a shelter- it’s a point of connection between people, animals, and the city they share. When Malinka went missing, I felt anxious and uncertain, but thanks to the systems in place, the support of the Tierheim team, and the attentiveness of our community, she made it home.

That experience reminded me that animal welfare isn’t just the work of one organization - it depends on a network of people who care enough to act. From sharing a post online to volunteering an hour of time or checking a nearby shed, every small gesture strengthens that network and makes Basel a kinder place for animals and their owners.

As Patrick Ulmann put it: “For me, it’s about giving something back to nature. I could earn more in the private sector, but this work gives me purpose. Seeing an animal recover, trust again, and find a home - that’s the reward.”

His words capture what the Tierheim represents: a quiet, consistent commitment to doing what’s right. In Basel, we’re fortunate to have such a resource - and as residents, we all have a role in sustaining it.

Because when we look out for animals, we’re really looking out for each other.

Resources

Tierheim an der Birs (Stiftung TBB Schweiz)

Birsfelderstrasse 45, 4052 Basel

Phone: 061 378 7878

Website: www.tbb.ch

STMZ (Schweizerische Tiermeldezentrale)

Website: www.stmz.ch

Phone: 0848 357 358 (Found animal reporting)

Local Facebook groups:

• Hunde & Katzen ALARM ! BS/BL

• Expats with pets Basel

• Katzenfreunde Basel-Stadt

• Basel-Land- Basel Cat sitting Network

Maria Blatkowska

Maria Blatkowska is a marketing and communications professional with experience in pharma, healthcare, and event management. A Polish transplant to Basel, she volunteers with community organizations, hikes in the Alps, and perfects plant-based recipes that prove vegan cooking is delicious.

www.linkedin.com/in/maria-blatkowska