Essential Animal Information for Pets in Switzerland

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Essential Animal Information for Pets in Switzerland

In Switzerland, pets (haustier or animal domestique) are defined as animals that are kept for the animal's sake or for companionship.

Dogs must have a rabies vaccination every two years from the age of six months. 

Cats are not required to have rabies innoculation.

Dog Licences & Identification

A dog needs a licence from the age of six months (there's an exception on guide dogs). This is usually available from the local community office on production of its international health certificate. In some cantons owners may require private liability insurance before a dog licence is issued. Dogs must wear the licence attached to the collar at all times in public places. Licences must be renewed annually and if moving to another canton of Switzerland, a person must de-register and re-register their pet in the new community. Owners of unlicensed dogs will be fined. Licence fees are set by the canton. The licence is valid for a year and should be renewed annually in January. If a dog dies during the year, before 1 July, half the fee will be reimbursed.

Identification of dogs by tattoo or microchip is obligatory in all cantons. Any dog born since 2007 must be microchipped (not tattooed) by a vet, by the time the puppy is three months old. The vet will register the puppy with the canton.

• Further information from the Swiss government website: Click here

Dog licences in Zürich

Dog licences can be obtained from the local authorities. In Zürich contact the Dog Control Office (Hundekontrolle). 

• Hundekontrolle
  At: Gartenstrasse 14, 8027 Zürich
  Tel: 044 411 73 73

Animal Health

Veterinary hospitals (tierspital), have animal ambulances available for emergencies day and night.

The animal hospital in Zurich is also a research institute and has modern facilities for treatment and diagnosis of animal illnesses:

• Kantonales Tierspital
  At: Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich
  Tel: +41 (0)1 635 81 11
  Emergency: +41 (0)1 635 81 14

The death of a pet should be reported to the vet for information on how to proceed. Animals under 10 Kg may be buried on private land (guidelines apply). Many cantons have pet cemeteries, and most provide a place for pet cremation,. A local vet can advise where to go and what to do. 

Food for most types of domestic pet is available at supermarkets and specialist pet shops.

Dogs in Public Places 

Dogs are allowed in many places, but not everywhere and must be kept on a leash in the city and in residential areas. Dogs are not allowed into areas marked with a "no dogs allowed" sign. This is a circular sign with a white background encircled in red with a picture of a black dog in the centre. Dogs are not allowed in grocery stores, post offices or other public buildings.

Before moving into rental accommodation it is important to check that dogs are allowed and that this is included in the rental agreement. Small pets such as such as guinea pigs, hamsters or canaries can be kept in all cases (even if there is a ban on pets in the tenancy agreement).

"Robidogs" can be found throughout Switzerland. These are green containers (each about the size of a rubbish bin) and should be used for the proper disposal of the dog's waste. They dispense plastic bags that are to be used to clean up after the dog.

Dangerous Dogs

Each canton in Switzerland has its own laws regarding ownership of dangerous dogs. In the cantons of Zug and Lucerne there aren't any special rules on holding certain breeds of dogs.

• For information on pet legislation in Switzerland: Click here 

Zürich

In Zürich a law making the following breeds of dogs illegal within the canton was voted on 30 November 2008. 

• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Boerbull
• Staffordshire Boerbull
• American Pitbull

Dogs cross-bred with any of the above breeds will also be illegal. This law should come into effect on 1 January 2010.

Basel

In Basel there is a list of potential dangerous breeds of dogs. A person may not have more then one dangerous dog in one household. Only under strict circumstances it is possible. 

Dogs considered dangerous in Basel include:

• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Pitbull Terrier
• Staffordshire Bullterrier
• American Pitbull
• Doberman
• Dogue argentin
• Fila brasileiro
• Rottweiler

Owners of the above breed of dogs must contact the cantonal veterinary office who will inform them of the steps to be taken, for example requesting authorisation or dog training.

• Basel-Stadt Cantonal Veterinary Office
  At: Schlachthofstrasse 55, 4025 Basel
  Tel: 061 385 32 32
• Basel-Land Cantonal Veterinary Office
  At: Rufsteinweg 4, 4410 Liestal
  Tel: 061 925 59 04

Berne

In Berne there are specific measures concerning the ownership of dangerous dogs or dogs considered potentially dangerous. The owner must declare their dog to the Cantonal Veterinary Office who will decide on the measures that need to be taken by the owner (for example keeping it on a leash or muzzled at all times in public areas). A list of dogs that are considered dangerous in the Berne canton can be obtained from the Cantonal Veterinary Office. 

• Berne Cantonal Veterinary Office
  At: Herrengasse 1, 3011 Berne
  Tel: 031 633 46 88

Pets on Public Transport

Dogs and cats may travel on public transport. 

Cats (usually traveling in a pet carrier) and small dogs that can can be held on a lap travel for free. A half-fare ticket must be bought for larger dogs, and they must be on a leash and kept at the owner's feet.

Animals Lost & Found

Found an animal

A found animal should be reported to the local cantonal office for lost and found animals. To find a local office: click here 

The office can be notified in several ways:

• Fill in a printed form available at police stations, canton offices and veterinary surgeries
• Tel: 0848 848 820

Found dogs and cats should be taken to an animal refuge (Tierheim). 

• The SPA has a list of refuges in each canton: click here 

Website Tierschutz.ch has a comprehensive, interactive map of Switzerland with all cantonal refuges and other animal organisations listed.

• See Tierschutz.ch (in German)

Lost an animal

Website Tierschutz lists all cats, dogs, birds and other animals found and housed in refuges throughout Switzerland. The database of found animals can be searched by the animal's identity number (tattoo or microchip) and by region. Owners of lost pets can place announcements online.

• See Tierschutz.ch (in German)

Organisations & Refuges

The SAP, Swiss Animal Protection (Schweizer Tierschutz STS or Protection Suisse des Animaux - PSA) has a list of refuges in each canton. 

• Swiss Animal Protection (SAP) 
  At: Dornacherstrasse 101, P.O. Box 461, CH-4008 Basel
  Tel: 061 365 99 99
  Fax: 061 365 99 90
  Website  

The German STS version of the website has more comprehensive information.

• Homeless animals available for adoption: click here (in German)

Zürich Canton

Zürcher Tierchutz: Refuge for dogs, cats and small animals. Animals are available for adoption.

• At: Zürichbergstrasse 263, 8044 Zürich
  Tel: 044 261 97 14
  e-mail
  Website

Vier Pfoten (four paws): Animal protection association.

• Tel: 043 311 80 90
  e-mail
  Website

Related Information

• Information is available on the Federal Veterinary Office (FVO) website
• See the AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, Moving with Pets & Animals to Switzerland
  

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