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SWISS TRADITIONS

EXPLAINED: Which pets can’t be kept alone in Switzerland?

One of Switzerland’s most unique laws is a prohibition on keeping ‘social’ animals alone as pets. But which animals does this rule apply to?

Guinea pigs must be kept at least in twos in Switzerland. Photo by Bonnie Kittle on Unsplash
Guinea pigs must be kept at least in twos in Switzerland. Photo by Bonnie Kittle on Unsplash

Most people get pets to counter their own loneliness – but what happens if the pets themselves get lonely? 

Like the clown who entertained the village but was never able to laugh or smile, the lonely pet is a sad tale. 

Fortunately in Switzerland, loneliness among pets has been outlawed – or at least minimised, through a series of 

Certain animals which are considered to be ‘sociable’ cannot be kept alone, nor can they be kept in small cages or enclosures.

Under Article 13 of Switzerland’s Animal Protection Ordinance (TSchV), these animals must be accompanied by another animal of the same species, i.e. providing them with the company of another animal – or that of a human – will not be sufficient.  

Which animals does Switzerland consider to be ‘social’?

Working out which animals are considered social and which are not can be difficult, especially as the section itself does not lay out an exhaustive list. 

In practice however, there are several animals which are considered social and must be kept in pairs as a minimum. 

These are guinea pigs, mice, gerbils, rats, degus (Chilean rodent), chinchillas and ferrets. 

READ MORE: The 12 strange laws in Switzerland you need to know

Rabbits can be kept alone only after they are eight weeks old, as younger rabbits are considered social animals. 

Hamsters on the other hand can be kept alone – in fact, ‘gold hamsters’ are loners and should be kept alone, according to the Swiss Veterinary and Food Safety Ordinance

Dog owners are recommended to allow their animal to have contact with other dogs, however this is not mandatory. Cats can be kept alone but should be allowed outside regularly. 

The list isn’t limited only to mammals, however. 

Goldfish must also be kept in pairs, along with budgies, lovebirds, Japanese quails, macaws, cockatoos, parakeets, parrots, canaries and finches. 

Where one animal dies, you are required to quickly replace it, so that the one which remains is not lonely

If you cannot, the Swiss authorities ask that you give your animal to a home or another pet owner, so it won’t be lonely for too long. 

There’s also Zurich’s ‘guinea pig rental’ service, whereby you can get some temporary company for your pet in times of need. 

While it may sound like a laughing matter to some, more and more is being understood about how animals interact and deal with stress. 

Animal behaviour such as plucking out feathers or scratching fur is now being understood as a consequence of loneliness. 

“The law reflects our perception of how animals are kept in a species-appropriate manner,” Jean-Michel Hatt, Professor of Zoo, Home and Wildlife Medicine at the University of Zurich, told Germany’s Welt newspaper when the law was passed in 2008. 

“Especially with budgerigars and guinea pigs, the legal obligation to keep at least two of them is really the minimum.”

What happens if you break the rules? 

Generally speaking, you will receive a caution and an explanation about the rules at first instance, as presumably many would be unclear about the laws and how they apply. 

However, there are some relatively harsh penalties for those who continue to refuse to observe the rules. 

Persistent violations could see you receive a fine of up to CHF20,000, which is a lot more expensive than an additional budgie. 

At worst, you could even find your own loneliness increasing exponentially, as animal neglect carries with it a maximum jail term of 180 days in Switzerland (at which point you’ll probably begin to understand how the guinea pigs feel). 

What other rules should pet owners consider? 

In addition to reflecting animals’ social nature, it also seeks to protect their privacy. 

An animal enclosure must allow for space where the animal can retreat in private wherever it likes. 

So if you’re thinking of building something and want to stay consistent with Swiss law, try and construct something like a share house for your pets, with both a common area and a place where it can get some well-deserved privacy. 

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SWISS TRADITIONS

How and where can you travel on an iconic Swiss PostBus?

Chances are that you are regularly or occasionally using public transportation in your local community, but perhaps have not yet ridden on Switzerland's yellow PostBus.

How and where can you travel on an iconic Swiss PostBus?

If you are wondering what the big deal is — after all, a bus is just a bus — then you have been missing a truly special experience, because the route network of this particular mode of transport spans some of Switzerland’s most scenic routes.

The 2,400 PostBus vehicles currently in service cover a network of 936 lines that span almost 17,000 kilometres of picturesque country roads.

And while these buses used to transport only letters and packages, you should not worry about having to sit on top of a stack of mail and near a goat or two — these days, PostBuses transport human passengers only.

READ ALSO : What you need to know about Switzerland’s iconic yellow buses

Where can you catch a PostBus?

Unlike buses and trams crisscrossing only major urban centres, a PostBus ventures farther afield.

That’s because it is operating mostly in suburban, rural, and mountain areas, where other modes of transport could be lacking. It covers even the most remote villages and deepest valleys.

This is why you will mostly spot a PostBus in the countryside or on Alpine roads — no matter how narrow and winding.

If, for example, you want to go to the mountains but don’t feel like driving, a PostBus will bring you all the way up, practically to the top.

This link shows the entire PostBus route network in all regions of Switzerland, so you can see where the nearest one to your place of residence is. 

How do you buy a ticket for the PostBus?

Just like for ‘regular’ public transport, you can download an app for the PostBus as well, through which you will be able not only to purchase your tickets, but also check the timetable. 

Alternatively, you can also buy your ticket at a bus stop.

The good news is that you can also buy PostBus tickets through your SwissPass, the same way as for any other public transport.

READ ALSO: An essential guide for using Switzerland’s public transport ticket

What else do you need to know about the PostBus?

There are two further things.

One, that this bus serves not only as a public transport option, but can also be used for scenic rides.

The so-called Palm Express, for instance,  starts in the resort of St. Moritz in Graubünden and ends in Lugano, Ticino. 

The four-hour ride transits through the Maloja Pass, Val Bregaglia to Chiavenna (Italy), and then along Lake Como and Lake Lugano.

Secondly, it is worth riding the PostBus just to hear its unique, legendary horn, which celebrates its 100 anniversary this year.

Inaugurated in 1924, the distinctive three-tone horn comes, appropriately enough, from the overture of Rossini’s opera “William Tell.”

And by the way, the PostBus is one of many services provided by the Swiss Post Office. These are some of the others:

READ ALSO: 11 things you can do at a Swiss post office other than buy stamps

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