People who are involved in animal welfare, be it professionally or on a voluntary basis, are often referred to as amateurs, do-gooders, extremists, self-proclaimed, emotional or even radical. Animal welfarists who, let's say, work in government agencies are often portrayed by the media or the associations profiting from animal use as unqualified and are contrasted with "experts". This is completely unjustified, for many of the individuals working in the field of animal welfare nowadays are highly qualified, are oftentimes academics and have many years of professional experience, thereby offering expert knowledge in animal welfare.

The main objective of the Swiss Association for Animal Welfare Work (VATS) therefore is to establish the profession "animal welfare expert" and to further promote its professionalization. VATS coordinates and promotes the vocational and further training of interdisciplinary specialists in the field of animal welfare and strives to raise awareness for the profession of "animal welfare expert" and to improve the job opportunities for graduates on the job market. TIR is very pleased to be part of this vital association from the very beginning and will actively support the efforts made by VATS. The first comprehensive training courses are scheduled for 2019.