Animal Welfare Ordinance
(TSchV) SR 455.1
Cat owners are faced with the important task of enabling their four-legged friends to live a species-appropriate and healthy life. This involves not only care and attention, but also compliance with legal regulations. The following sections provide you with a comprehensive overview of the most important legal regulations in Switzerland that apply specifically to cats. These regulations aim to ensure the welfare of the animals and prevent abuses. In addition, the general provisions of the Animal Welfare Ordinance must be observed, which ensure that cats are not neglected, mistreated or otherwise impaired in their well-being.
Training and authorisation requirement (Art. 101 letter a + c no. 2; Art. 102 TSchV)
Keeping cats privately requires neither training nor a permit. Anyone who gives away more than twenty cats or five litters of kittens per year (e.g. from a cat breeder) must have completed specialist, job-independent training (FBA). In cat boarding houses with more than 19 places, the person responsible for looking after the animals must be an animal keeper. In smaller cat boarding houses that have more than five and a maximum of 19 places, an FBA is sufficient.
Social contacts (Art. 80 para. 1 + 3 TSchV)
Cats kept alone must have daily contact with people or visual contact with other cats. Cats may be kept alone in cages of at least 1 m2 for a maximum of 3 weeks.
Movement (Art. 80 para. 4 TSchV)
If cats are kept in cages for a maximum of three weeks, they must be able to move outside the cage temporarily on at least five days a week. For this purpose, they must have access to a cat enclosure with a floor area of at least 7 m2.
Feeding (Art. 4 TSchV)
The animals must be provided with suitable food and water regularly and in sufficient quantities. If several cats are kept together, the animal owner must ensure that each animal receives sufficient food and water.
Care (Art. 5 para. 1; Art. 177; 179 TSchV)
Grooming is intended to prevent illness and injury. Long-haired animals require regular grooming. Claws must be professionally trimmed if necessary. Sick or injured cats must be treated or, if necessary, professionally killed.
Noise (Art. 12 TSchV)
Animals must not be exposed to excessive noise for long periods of time.
Accommodation (Art. 80 para. 2 + 5; Annex 1 Tab. 11 TSchV)
When kept in an enclosure, for example a cat room, the minimum requirements according to Appendix 1 Table 11 of the Animal Welfare Ordinance must be met. Enclosures must have a minimum height of 2 m and a minimum area of 7 m2. Up to a maximum of 4 cats with their unweaned kittens may be kept in this area. For each additional cat, an additional 1.7 m2 is required. For a group of, for example, 6 adult cats, the minimum area is 10.4 m2. Enclosures must be equipped with the following facilities: raised resting areas, places to retreat, suitable climbing and scratching opportunities, activities, and in groups of up to 5 animals, each cat must have its own droppings tray. For larger groups, one droppings tray per 2 animals is sufficient, provided it is cleaned several times a day or the cats have access to the outdoors - otherwise one droppings tray per cat applies. Breeding tomcats must not be kept in cages between matings.
Weather protection (Art. 6; 36 TSchV)
Cats that are kept primarily outdoors must have access to a place that offers protection from extreme weather conditions such as wetness, wind and strong sunlight.
Breeding (Art. 25; 28; 30a para. 4 TSchV)
Breeding should be aimed at producing healthy cats. Cats that have been bred for impermissible breeding purposes may not be exhibited. It is forbidden to breed cats with wild cats.
Propagation (Art. 25 para. 4 TSchV)
The animal owner must take reasonable measures to prevent the cats from reproducing excessively.
Aids (Art. 16 TSchV)
It is forbidden to use fence systems that have an electrifying effect via a receiver device on the cat's body.
Prohibited acts (Art. 24 TSchV)
It is forbidden to amputate cats' claws. Cats' teeth must also not be pulled out so that they cannot injure anyone.
This list is not exhaustive. The legal provisions apply (TSchV = Animal Welfare Ordinance of 10 January 2018, SR 455.1). Further information can be found at www.blv.admin.ch >> Animal Welfare
