Animal Welfare Act (AniWA) (AniWA)
English is not an official language of the Swiss Confederation. This translation is provided for information purposes only and has no legal force.
Art. 1 Purpose
The purpose of this Act is to protect the dignity and welfare of animals.
Art. 2 Scope
1 The present Act applies to vertebrates. The Federal Council decides to which invertebrates it applies and to what extent. In doing so, it is guided by scientific knowledge on the sentience of invertebrate animals. 2 The following are reserved: the Hunting Act of 20 June 1986, the Federal Act of 1 July 1966 on the Protection of Nature and Cultural Heritage, the Federal Act of 21 June 1991 on Fishing, the Vocational and Professional Training and Education Act of 13 December 2002 and the Epizootic Diseases Act of 1 July 1966.
Para. 2 — SR 922.0 Para. 2 — SR 451 Para. 2 — SR 923.0 Para. 2 — SR 412.10 Para. 2 — SR 916.40
Art. 3 Definitions
In this Act: a. dignity means the inherent worth of the animal that must be respected when dealing with it. If any strain imposed on the animal cannot be justified by overriding interests, this constitutes a disregard for the animal’s dignity. Strain is deemed to be present in particular if pain, suffering or harm is inflicted on the animal, if it is exposed to anxiety or humiliation, if there is major interference with its appearance or its abilities or if it is excessively instrumentalised; b. well-being: the well-being of animals exists if: 1. husbandry and feeding are such that their bodily functions and their behaviour are not disturbed and excessive demands are not made on their capacity to adapt, 2. species-specific behaviour within the limits of their biological capacity to adapt is guaranteed, 3. they are clinically healthy, 4. pain, suffering, harm and anxiety are avoided; c. animal experiment means any procedure in which a live animal is used with the aim of: 1. testing a sc
Art. 4 Principles
1 Any person who handles animals must: a. take account of their needs as well as possible; and b. ensure their well-being as far as the intended purpose permits. 2 No person may inflict pain, suffering or harm on an animal, induce anxiety in an animal or disregard its dignity in any other way without justification. It is forbidden to mishandle, neglect or unnecessarily overwork animals. 3 The Federal Council forbids any further activities involving animals if such activities disregard their dignity.
Art. 5 Training and information
1 The federal government may promote the continuing education and training of persons who handle animals. 1bis The Federal Council may provide for certain training and education activities to be recognised by the federal government or the cantons. 2 The federal government shall ensure that the public are informed about animal welfare issues.
Para. 1bis — Inserted by No I of the FA of 15 June 2012, in force since 1 Jan. 2013 (AS 2012 6279; BBl 2011 7055). Para. 2 — Amended by No I of the FA of 15 June 2012, in force since 1 Jan. 2013 (AS 2012 6279; BBl 2011 7055).