Woof! I Am a New Dog in Basel! by Claudia Mundt

T
H
E
I
N
F
O
R
M
A
T
I
O
N
D
E
S
K
Woof! I Am a New Dog in Basel! by Claudia Mundt
Dogs are such wonderful companions, and having a pet
dog is a great experience for the whole family, teaching kids about
caring for a pet and the associated responsibilities. But making the
decision to get a dog in a foreign land can be a little daunting, as it
comes with a whole new set of regulations. Don’t let the unknown
deter you! If you are thinking about getting a dog or relocating
a dog to Basel, read on to get a summary of what you will need
to know.
How do I import my dog into Switzerland?
If you are moving to Switzerland from an EU country, your dog
needs a vaccination against rabies, a complete pet passport, and
an identification microchip or tattoo (tattoo is only valid if older
than July 2011). Note that canton Basel Stadt no longer accepts
any tattoos—your dog needs an ISO-conform microchip with
15 digits.
www.blv.admin.ch/themen/01614/01884/01888/index.
html?lang=en
What do I have to do before I own the dog?
If you have never owned a dog, you have to complete a mandatory dog ownership class, “theoretischer Sachkundenachweis
(SKN),” before you buy a dog. This 4-5 hour class provides you
with information about the dog’s general needs as well as your
new responsibility as a dog owner. If, however, you can prove
that you already owned a dog before September 1, 2008, the
class is not required but may still be useful, especially if you
are new here. This class is also mandatory if you are moving
with your dog to Switzerland, as long as the dog entered your
home after September 1, 2008. You can find a list of registered
dog trainers in your area at http://blv.bytix.com/plus/trainer/.
English classes in the Basel area are available at http://
wholetthedogsout-basel.ch
Where can I purchase a dog?
Once you have decided to get a dog, you need to consider whether you want to get a puppy or an adult dog, a mutt, or a pedigreed dog. Keeping in mind that the characteristics of the breed
are more important than the looks, it is especially important
to consider which breed best suits you (activity level, barking
tendencies, territorial behavior, hunting instinct, size, etc.). Be
aware that in Switzerland, certain breeds of dogs are forbidden
unless you hold a special license. These include purebred dogs
or dogs crossed with the following breeds: Pit bull, American
Staffordshire terrier, bull terrier, miniature bull terrier,
Staffordshire bull terrier, Rottweiler, Dobermann, Dogo
argentino, and Fila brasilera. If you want to adopt a
dog from an animal shelter, consider the Tierschutz
beider Basel (www.tbb.ch). They are located at Walzwerk, Tramstrasse 66, Gebäude D 29 in
Münchenstein. You can contact them
at 0900 78 78 20 (first 2 min free, then
CHF 1.90/min).
If you are moving to Switzerland from non-EU/EFTA states,
you can import a maximum of 5 animals. In addition to the
regulations listed above for import from an EU country, an
animal health permit is required for dogs that enter Switzerland
via a Swiss airport from a “rabies risk country.”
www.blv.admin.ch/themen/01614/01884/01889/index.
html?lang=en
Important: It is forbidden to import dogs with docked ears and/
or docked tail (TSchV, article 22). Exceptions are dogs that have
already been kept by the relocating person for a certain time
before moving to Switzerland. Check with the relevant customs
authorities before importing such a dog. For additional information, go to:
www.blv.admin.ch
You can get answers regarding your personal situation with the
very helpful online tool “Crossing the border with dogs, cats or
ferrets” offered by the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office
(FSVO, Bundesamt für Lebensmittelsicherheit und Veterinärwesen [BLV, the former BVET]). The easiest way to find this tool
is to type its name in the search box.
Where do I register my dog in Basel?
Visit a veterinarian within 10 days after you have entered
Switzerland. Your vet will take care of the mandatory
registration in the national pet database of Switzerland,
ANIS (Animal Identity Service). This service should cost
approximately CHF 30. Your dog also needs a license!
Register your dog within 10 days after entering Switzerland or
the canton at the Basel Stadt veterinary office. Cost is CHF 160/
year in Basel Stadt; costs in Baselland differ (eg, CHF 140/year in
Binningen). For a license in Basel Stadt, contact them by email
at [email protected], or by phone at 061-385-3224. You can
find the online form at:
www.veterinaeramt-bs.ch/kv/taetigkeitsbereiche/hunde/
formulare/formular_anmeldung_von_hunden.cfm
Do I need insurance for my dog?
Yes, it is obligatory. Check with your private insurance
provider to assure that your dog is covered under your liability
insurance.
Do I have to visit dog training with the dog?
If you have not owned your dog since before September 1, 2008,
or if you cannot prove this, you must attend the mandatory
practical lessons (praktischer SKN) with your dog at least four
times, for 1 hour each. The course must be completed within
one year of the dog entering your home. This practical class is
also mandatory if you are moving with your dog to Switzerland.
To find a registered dog trainer in your area, go to http://blv.
bytix.com/plus/trainer/. English classes in the Basel area are
available at http://wholetthedogsout-basel.ch/.
Should I consider a dog sitter?
Even though you love your dog, sometimes work or schedule
conflicts force you to be away too many hours at a time. On
such days, it is a good idea to enlist the help of a private dog
sitter who can check in on, feed, and walk your dog for you.
Such services can be hired by the hour or by the day.
Where do I find veterinary services?
All vets are listed in the directory www.local.ch, and most
of them speak English. If you need help outside of the usual
consulting hours, you can call the “Tierärztlicher Notfalldienst
der Kleintierärzte Basel und Umgebung” (Veterinary emergency
service for small animals in and around Basel) at 0900 99 33 99
(1.80 CHF/min).
Is it mandatory to use a kennel/transport container when
transporting the dog in a car?
No, it is not mandatory as dogs are considered as goods. They
should, however, be transported in a safe way and should not
be able to disturb the driver or other passengers. Nevertheless,
a kennel is the safest way to transport a dog in the car.
Do I need a ticket for my dog on public transport?
It depends on the size of your dog. Small dogs (height max.
30 cm) that are carried in a bag travel for free. A half-fare ticket
must be bought for larger dogs, and they must be on a leash.
www.tnw.ch/tickets-und-preise/allg-tarifinformationen/
What do I need to consider when traveling with my dog?
Always ask your vet in good time before you are going on
vacation if there are special requirements (eg, extra vaccinations,
de-worming, etc.) needed for your dog. You should also check
for current information on the internet from the representatives
of the country where you plan to travel with your dog.
http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/liveanimals/pets/nocomm_
intra_en.htm
What are other important rules?
s It is the duty of every dog owner to dispose of their dog’s feces
correctly. “Robidogs” are green containers (about the size of a
rubbish bin) that can be found everywhere in Switzerland. They dispense
plastic bags to clean up after your dog and provide a receptacle
to dispose of the plastic bags.
s Note that dogs are not allowed in many places, such
as parks, playgrounds, etc. These places are marked
with a round sign (a black dog on a white background
encircled in red).
s In Basel Stadt, dogs must wear the license attached
to the collar.
s Dogs must be strictly kept on a leash in all areas
of Basel from 20:00-06:00.
photo credits: © james blum
Claudia Mundt is the owner of WHO LET THE DOGS OUT?,
a service that seeks to help the English-speaking community in Basel with their dog-related needs. She is
a dog trainer, certified for all mandatory courses. She
offers mandatory theory & practical lessons for dog
owners (SKN), puppy training, dog training, and private dog sitting in English and German. She would be
most happy to help you welcome your newest family
member! Contact her at [email protected].
www.wholetthedogsout-basel.ch
20
www.baselfamilymagazine.com
FEBRUARY 2014
21

Download Report