70th birthday
from Michael Aufhauser
The founder of Gut Aiderbichl celebrates his anniversary
The vision of Gut Aiderbichl over 20 years ago
The transformation and the path to animal welfare began when Michael Aufhauser travelled to the Costa del Sol on business many years ago. He looked out of his office window and watched as dog catchers captured street dogs and took them away. He drove after them and witnessed the gruesome way in which cats and dogs were gassed to death. The screams of the dying dogs stayed with him. Some had to wait for the next gassing date. He bought their freedom and his thoughts and actions were to become visionary.
The desire to “save” became stronger and stronger: animals that were to be killed, abandoned, maltreated, not suitable for breeding, left in a box in front of Gut Aiderbichl or taken from an experimental laboratory. On the farms of Gut Aiderbichl, they are guaranteed a life until the natural end of their lives, as well as care, sufficient food and species-appropriate care.
Aufhauser’s vocation – to give animals a voice – drove him forward. More and more animals were saved by his intervention and thus saved from a fatal fate. Michael Aufhauser was never shy of people or the media, perhaps also due to the drama school he attended. He was sure that if he wanted to draw attention to the unworthy living conditions of animals, he had to get the media to help him. Because that was the only way he saw a chance to make a difference. So he appeared on German television programmes and had the chance to draw attention to the catastrophic living conditions of many animals and to make people think more and more. Aufhauser held discussions with donkey owners in Greece. Traditionally, donkeys that are no longer able to perform their labour are left to fend for themselves, tied up and left to die. His language remained diplomatic and so a few years ago many rescued donkeys from Greece came to the farms of Gut Aiderbichl.
“If I look the animals in the eye, I’m lost”
(Michael Aufhauser)
In 2009, the adoption of the ex-lab monkeys was a pioneering step that proved that one of its life goals is to treat animals with respect. It was a matter of deciding whether to help the ex-lab monkeys or to leave them to be sold or euthanised. Aufhauser was certain that this responsibility could be shouldered together with the help of the Aiderbichler.
Many of the ex-laboratory monkeys had lived in the cage of a research company in Austria for around thirty years. Due to their biological relationship to humans, the animals lived locked up in cramped cages and their bodies were used for drug research. Since 2009, the ex-lab monkeys have been living under the protection of Gut Aiderbichl. Slowly, they helped themselves out of their trauma – the condition for this was a quiet, protected environment. The animals and the carers of the ex-lab monkeys have given each other the chance to build trust and respect for each other. One of the most beautiful photos that shows how much Michael Aufhauser was able to empathise with the animals is the one with Martha, an ex-lab chimpanzee. Martha’s empty, sad look made him say “YES, you should be allowed to live!”.
Aufhauser realised that by rescuing animals he could treat symptoms, but not the root of all evil. In order to achieve real situational improvements for the animals, animal welfare also had to become human welfare. He was certain: “As long as we have to protect animals from people, we have achieved nothing. Only when we no longer have to protect animals will we have reached our goal. Then we will have changed something: US. Anyone who knows Michael Aufhauser knows that he was concerned with an all-encompassing humanity. We humans are not the crown. His vision for animal welfare encompasses everything: the globe, the human being. Everything that makes up nature and life. Society needs an all-encompassing humanity that includes everyone. Grievances always need solutions. Aufhauser never raised his index finger, but sat down at the table with the perpetrators of animal suffering. He not only scrutinised an animal’s life situation, but also the circumstances as to why life had come to a dead end. He was always convinced that a turbo dairy cow could not be helped by arguing with the farmer.
His goal was always clear: it is about constantly reminding people that an animal is not an object, but a sentient fellow creature. The language of Gut Aiderbichl should be a diplomatic, informative and helpful language and not a language of argument. The aim was and is to help the animal into a good life situation. Michael Aufhauser turns a small field mouse into something so important that people can no longer help but take it seriously and show even a small mouse respect.
In 2015, Aiderbichl founder Michael Aufhauser suffered a stroke of fate – a sudden aortic rupture put his life at risk. Miraculously, he survived this event. Today he lives in seclusion on his estate in Salzburg. He always said that even if something were to happen to him, the animals would have to be fed the next day. He had made provisions for this sad moment
and, in accordance with his wishes, everything at Gut Aiderbichl continued as usual – in the interests of the animals.
The Gut Aiderbichl network currently consists of 30 international animal welfare organisations in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, France, Romania and Hungary. Over 6,000 animals have found a new
found a new home. There are three visitor farms for people who want to be close to the animals. These include the founding farm in Henndorf near Salzburg, as well as one farm each in Iffeldorf near Munich and Deggendorf near Passau.
Congratulations!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart and all the best
“Dear Michael,
You always said “a birthday is not an achievement”, but I would still like to pause on this day and congratulate you from the bottom of my heart. I would like to thank you for your foresight and for every moment we have experienced together in the moving years of building Gut Aiderbichl. It is thanks to your vision and foresight that today there is a unique project and a strong institution in the world for animals in need.”
Your Dieter,
Dieter Ehrengruber Chairman of the Foundation
The entire Gut Aiderbichl team wishes Michael Aufhauser all the best for his 70th birthday. We say ThANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts for his great commitment, his unconditional love for the animals and the creation of the unique animal welfare community Gut Aiderbichl.
