The Swiss take animal rights very seriously - and we’re not just talking the basic ‘keep them fed and watered here’, either.
Nope, Switzerland is so hot on caring for the nation’s animals, that they won’t let you own a guinea pig unless you buy two (or, presumably more).
The reason? Guinea pigs are sociable creatures, apparently, and they get lonely.
Are you in tears yet?
The furry creatures are herd animals, which means they need friends to run around with and to help them feel comfortable. They take this so seriously, that there’s even a sort of guinea pig Tinder, which will match up your pet with another in the area, to become friends. Priska Küng, who runs one of the organizations, says she receives three or four calls a week, from desperate owners looking for a guinea pig pal.
And it’s not just guinea pigs; there’s rules and regulations for all sorts of animals. For example, you can’t have a pet cat unless it has access to other cats (or if it’s a house cat, you have to have two, again) or at least be able to see other cats from the window. Although the latter is quite cruel, I think. Imagine being able to see all your feline friends having a ball outside and not being able to join in. Sob
Even fish and parrots are covered too. Fish have to stick to a full day/night cycle (consistent routine and all) and parrots are considered ‘victims of abuse’ if they don’t interact with others. I mean, they’re probably the most able species to ring a helpline if necessary.
If you want a pet dog, you have to attend two to three lessons and then have training afterwards, which, if you ask me, should be implemented over here, too.
So if you go home tonight and your single guinea pig looks a bit down in the dumps, perhaps you should consider investing in a friend. We wouldn’t want any more lonely guinea pigs, after all.
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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.