Federal government plans national chip requirement for cats
Published: Friday, Dec 13th 2024, 12:50
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The Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) is investigating the possibility of mandatory chipping for cats. To this end, the Office is in contact with the cantonal veterinary services. It considers a national solution to be welcome.
The FSVO informed the Keystone-SDA news agency on Friday that this would bring several advantages in terms of animal welfare. This was first reported in the Blick newspaper. A national solution would be a good basis for the enforcement of Swiss animal welfare legislation.
This would make pet owners more responsible. The necessary visit to the vet should also make these people more aware of health issues. Furthermore, a national chip solution would provide a basis for studies on the impact on biodiversity, wrote the FSVO.
100,000 to 300,000 feral cats live in Switzerland, according to the Swiss Cat Fanciers Association. They suffer because no one takes care of them. Birds, reptiles and insects that fall victim to cats also suffer from the uncontrolled proliferation of cats.
At the end of 2019, the Federal Council and National Council decided against a mandatory chip. According to the FSVO, weighing up the benefits and costs did not indicate a need for a mandatory introduction at that time.
Since then, however, the situation has changed, as the issue has been addressed in various cantons by means of initiatives. According to the FSVO, a national solution seems more expedient than a cantonal patchwork.
©Keystone/SDA
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