In Switzerland it is illegal to own just one guinea pig.
It's Illegal to Own Only One Guinea Pig in Switzerland. Denying your pet the chance to make friends with members of its own species could be considered an act of cruelty—at least in Switzerland. According to Techly, an animal rights law introduced there in 2008 makes it illegal to own just one guinea pig at a time.
Denying your pet the chance to make friends with members of its own
species could be considered an act of cruelty—at least in Switzerland.
According to Techly, an animal rights law introduced there in 2008 makes it illegal to own just one guinea pig at a time.
The law was part of a legislative push to grant “social rights” to pets
that tend to get lonely. Guinea pigs, for example, are herd animals, so
having at least one furry companion to share a cage with should
supposedly boost their quality of life.
Because it’s unlikely that two guinea pigs will die at the exact same
time, pet owners can find themselves in a legally sticky situation when
one of their animals passes away. Fortunately, there are now rent-a-guinea pig services in the country that provide partners to live with lonesome guinea pigs for the remainder of their lives.
There are other pets in Switzerland that are forbidden from living in
isolation. Goldfish are also required to have at least one tank-mate and
parrots must either live or have the opportunity to socialize with
other birds on a regular basis. And though most cats may seem like
solitary creatures to their owners, their social wellbeing is also
protected in Switzerland; the law doesn’t go so far as to say that pet
owners must have more than one cat, just that single cats should be able
to see other cats when prowling outside or staring though a window.
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