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Solitary Guinea Pigs: Illegal in Switzerland?
ONE IS THE LONELIEST NUMBER Why Swiss Guinea Pigs Must Come in Pairs
It’s a case where truth is stranger than fiction. In Switzerland, many animals have “social rights” and must be allowed to mingle with members of their species. As a result, Swiss residents cannot own a single guinea pig. It all began with new guidance the Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office rolled out in 2008. There are a few head-scratching provisions, but the one most likely to affect your average pet owner concerns animals that must be kept in groups. The list contains mice, goldfish, and parakeets, but guinea pigs are probably the most popular pet included. The Swiss government is actually onto something — guinea pigs are social animals. They cuddle, vocalize, play, and eat together.
traps people in an endless guinea pig cycle. What’s a person to do if they want out? Enter Priska Küng, an animal lover who runs a rent-a-guinea-pig service. Küng has been breeding guinea pigs since she was 12, and she now “sells” them for a low fee and refunds half upon the animal’s return. Through her work, she helps guinea pig owners who need to stay within the bounds of the law but either aren’t ready to adopt or eventually want to get out of the guinea pig game. Don’t worry. Küng makes it a point to rent out each guinea pig only once. When they return to her care, they’re “retired” and live out the rest of their lives in one place, among guinea pig friends. In some cases, the guinea pigs may only be gone for days or weeks before their new friend passes away. Other times, they may be gone for years.
Human companionship alone cannot replace this bond, and single guinea pigs can become depressed, lonely, and even ill. The law makes for happy guinea pigs, but it puts their owners in a bind. If a person only has two guinea pigs and one passes away, they would generally need to adopt another. But two guinea pigs are unlikely to die together, so it
Küng’s job may sound easy, but guinea pigs have preferences in their companions just like humans. So, she has become a match-maker who considers age, sex, and personality to create the perfect pair. It’s not exactly Guinea Pig Tinder, but it might result in more long-lasting relationships.
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