“Wellness oasis” might sound like a term for a spa. Here at Voliere Seebach, it describes a haven for both birds and humans. The Voliere Seebach offers a unique blend of avian care and public enjoyment. It is more than just a bird enclosure.
This special place in Zurich gives visitors an opportunity to marvel at colorful, chirping birds in outdoor aviaries. It is also a sanctuary for birds whose owners are on vacation. Voliere Seebach serves as Zurich’s best bird hotel.
But that’s not all the Voliere Seebach does. It takes in found birds and birds that owners can no longer care for. If possible, the Voliere staff finds good homes for these animals. The modern building has a green roof. Large aviaries surround it. This building also serves as a bird hotel. Here, animals from private owners receive care.
Founded in 1964, the Voliere Seebach has a rich history. It began as the “Interessengesellschaft Volièren Zürich 11”. Hans Stöckli was the first president. The construction faced initial setbacks. In 1965, even “Stapi” Sigmund Widmer got involved. He ensured a rejected proposal received reconsideration. This was despite the city’s tight finances.
Finally, on December 15, 1967, the Voliere Seebach was completed. It cost 185000 francs. Jakob Fischer became the first Voliere caretaker. Like his successors until 1999, he was an employee of Zurich’s horticultural office. The grand opening took place on March 29, 1969.
In 1998, the city planned to close both municipal aviaries to save money. The Voliere Seebach and the Voliere Mythenquai launched a petition. They collected 10300 signatures. Eventually, solutions emerged.
Both aviaries became privatized. The responsible associations had to handle their own finances and find sponsors. The city continued to provide the buildings, water, and electricity for free. They also offered a certain amount of money. The Zürcher Tierschutz and Pro Tier stepped in to help Voliere Seebach. Peter Gantenbein took over the operation in January 2000.
The Voliere faced a setback in the summer of 2000. Unknown individuals cut open the cages at night to free the birds. Peter Gantenbein and Hans-Ueli Bleiker worked to recapture the birds scattered throughout the district. Unfortunately, many birds remained lost.
The city covered the cost of repairing the special bird-proof cages. In 2011, financial troubles resurfaced. A group of dedicated individuals collected over 2000 signatures. They presented these to City Councillor Ruth Genner. Urs Fehr and Thomas Schwendener from the SVP offered support.
The city reached a new agreement. The search for funds continues with the help of loyal fans. In 2014, Voliere Seebach celebrated its 50th anniversary. Eriko Kagawa organized four benefit events at the Theater Stok in Zurich.
In 2019, Peter Gantenbein and his team expanded. They established a new location for large parrots in a renovated industrial building. This new facility provided ample space and met veterinary requirements. It’s called “Casa Pedro”.
Today, the Voliere Seebach continues to thrive. It provides a vital service for birds and a delightful experience for visitors. The association “Voliere Seebach” manages the Voliere and relies on donations. Open to the public with free admission, the Voliere Seebach is a true gem. The Voliere team also does animal training. This makes it less stressful for the animals.