National Council rejects mandatory cat microchipping
Unlike dogs, domestic cats in Switzerland will not be required to be microchipped and registered. The National Council has rejected a motion supported by many parties from the Green parliamentary group.
By 108 votes to 80, the lower chamber rejected the motion, which had been co-signed by more than two dozen members of parliament.
A minority led by the SVP ultimately prevailed. The motion, which had also been supported by the Federal Council, is now off the table.
Voluntary microchipping remains possible
Minority spokesperson Sylvain Freymond (SVP/VD) said that many owners already voluntarily have their cats microchipped today, for the benefit of their animals. A mandatory requirement would add no value. Many stray cats are ownerless, and it is above all these animals that cause problems. Chipping them would be unrealistic and costly.
Motion sponsor Meret Schneider (Greens/ZH) made an unsuccessful case for her proposal. Thousands of stray cats are surrendered to animal shelters every year, while owners search for their animals in vain. And 10’000 cats per year are reported missing.
Animals that are no longer wanted continue to be abandoned. A mandatory microchipping requirement is therefore needed. The cost of chipping — a one-time fee of 90 francs — could prompt people to think more carefully before acquiring a cat, Schneider said. «The purchase of an animal must not be a careless decision.»
«Costs are low»
Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider also supported mandatory microchipping. The registration that comes with it could provide statistical data and enable greater oversight of stray cats. During the chipping process, veterinarians could check the health and vaccination status of the animals. The costs of registration are low, she said in response to a question.
According to media reports, around 1.8 million cats live in Switzerland. The registration of animals in a database and the search for them is currently possible on a voluntary basis and is increasingly being carried out.
As of last April, just under 786’000 cats were registered in Switzerland, according to figures from Identitas. In 2016, nearly ten years ago, the number was still just under 350’000. The number of owners of registered cats has also risen, most recently to just under 477’000.
The Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) has already been conducting investigations into a national microchip requirement for cats. To this end, the office is in contact with the cantonal veterinary services. It confirmed a report by the newspaper «Blick» last December.
Around 225’000 stray cats
According to a study commissioned by the federal government, there are an estimated 225’000 stray cats in Switzerland. Voluntary neutering could help reduce the number of stray cats, but would not be sufficient as long as feral animals find enough food and shelter opportunities.
A nationwide mandatory neutering requirement for cats was rejected by the National Council in 2020. Under the current animal protection ordinance, cat owners are obliged to ensure that their animals do not reproduce in an uncontrolled manner.
