The purpose of the foundation is to protect and safeguard the interests of animals; to establish animal shelters for domestic, former laboratory, farm and wild animals; to carry out sterilizations and sterilization programs; to prevent animal cruelty and neglect; to support and implement public awareness measures to combat poor animal husbandry, animal testing (vivisection), etc.; to carry out and support animal welfare and ethological activities and their dissemination through the media; to promote natural healing methods and scientific research methods that do not require animal testing or animal substances; to support organizations that advocate for animals; to promote animal welfare at all levels; to organize and implement educational work and further training in animal welfare; to award a Zellweger Animal Foundation ZAF Prize for animal-free research; to take over veterinary and food costs for needy animal owners.