General Provisions
1 Anyone keeping or minding an animal shall feed and care for it properly and, when necessary, provide it with shelter.
2 The freedom of movement an animal needs shall not be permanently or needlessly restricted in any manner which will
cause pain, suffering or injury to the animal.
3 Having consulted specialists, the Federal Council shall issue regulations on the keeping of animals, covering such matters
as the minimum dimensions, lay-out, lighting and ventilation of accommodation provided for them, stocking density for
housing in groups and tethering arrangements.
Article 4 Unlawful Ways of Keeping Animals
1 The Federal Council shall prohibit ways of keeping animals which are manifestly inconsistent with the principles of animal
welfare, namely the use of certain types of cages and the keeping of animals in darkness.
2 The Federal Council may decide that certain ways of keeping animals shall be subject to authorisation.
3 It shall provide for a transitional period, so that existing installations may be brought into line with the regulations issued.
Article 5 Housing Systems and Installations for Animals
1 Mass produced housing systems and installations for the keeping of farm animals may not be advertised and sold without
prior authorisation from an authority designated by the Federal Council. Authorisation shall only be granted if such systems
and installations provide proper living conditions for animals. The costs of the authorisation procedures shall be paid by the
applicant.
2 The Federal Council shall set a transitional period during which housing systems and installations already on the market
may continue to be sold.
Article 6 The Keeping of Wild Animals
1 The professional keeping of wild animals shall be subject to authorisation by the cantons.
2 Individuals must apply for cantonal authorisation if they keep wild animals belonging to species which must be housed and
treated in a special manner. Having consulted the cantons, the Federal Council shall decide to which species of animal this
provision shall apply.