Pets

Where do I have to register the dog?

Each dog must be marked and registered with a microchip . If you bring a dog from abroad, it must be registered by the veterinarian in Switzerland.

Contact the municipality of residence and tell them that you keep a dog. The municipality of residence registers you as a dog owner and sends you an annual invoice for keeping the dog.

If you move, report a change of address to the municipal office within 10 days.

What are the rules for dogs?

In most municipalities of residence, dogs must be kept on a leash . Check with the municipality of residence to find out what rules apply.

As an owner, you are obliged to remove dog excrement on streets, squares, sidewalks, in public facilities and in agricultural crops. The municipality of residence provides plastic bags free of charge for this purpose and ROBIDOG  dog waste containers are available everywhere for disposal.

Insurance

Personal liability insurance is mandatory for dog owners in the canton of St.Gallen.

Not every landlord allows larger pets such as dogs or cats. It may be that there is a pet ban in the rental agreement. 

The landlord can terminate the lease if you do not comply with the pet ban or if you get a pet without his or her permission.

If nothing is mentioned in the rental agreement for keeping pets, then this is generally allowed.

An exception are animals with a particular disturbance or hazard potential such as: 

• Animals in large numbers
• Snake
• Spider
• Other exotic animal species

In this case, you will need the consent of the landlord. In addition, the import and keeping of many exotic animal species is not permitted for species protection reasons. 

> When viewing the new apartment, be sure to ask if pets are allowed.