Thanks
Hello I would like to know what do I need to be a dog sitter? Do I need some kind of permits? Help me please, because I used to do that before but not in Switzerland.
Pat,
Under the new TschV, if you care for dogs you may need to take courses or do a diploma, depending on what kind of service you provide and how you set up your business. At issue is whether you care for dogs in your home, or the client's, if you care for the dog occasionally or regularly. If you provide regular dog care in your home, you are classified as an animal shelter, and there are indeed education requirements.
These requirements are new, and not very well understood - or publicized.
I recently wrote the BVet for clarification as to what is required in various situations:
(Quoting from their response, underlining and bolding mine.)
"The conditions for dog sitters that take other peoples' dogs for walks depend on the type of service offered:
o Irregular time-limited dog sitting : this is meant as being not professional, e.g. taking care of the neighbour's dog as an exception while he is on holidays. In this case the responsibility remains with the dog owner and the sitter does not need any particular education. However, if the holiday should last longer than 3 months, the sitter will have to register the dog with ANIS under his name and do the Sachkundenachweis course with this dog ( http://www.bvet.admin.ch/tsp/02222/index.html?lang=de ).
o Regular time-limited dog sitting : if somebody takes care of other peoples' dogs on a regular basis, this is considered an animal shelter ("Tierpension") and, depending on the number of dogs present at one point in time, the "fachspezifische berufsunabhängige" or "Tierpfleger" (animal keeper) education is necessary.
• For an animal shelter for up to 19 animals , the so-called "fachsepzifische berufsunabhängige" education is necessary, which is described in the new Tierschutzverordnung (TschV, Art. 197). This education involves at least 40 hours of courses and 3 months of practical experience in an animal shelter.
• For an animal shelter with more than 19 animals , the person in charge must have be an animal keeper ("Tierpfleger"). (My note: This is a longer diploma course.)
Both the above mentioned must be registered with the cantonal veterinary office.
o For irregular short dog sitting outside the house, such as taking the neighbour's dog for a walk on an irregular basis, the Sachkundenachweis course does not have to be done. The responsibility still lies with the dog owner.
o For short, regular dog sittings outside the house , e.g. regular walks with the neighbour's dog, the Sachkundeausweis must be done (both theory and practical part). "
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The law seems to make a distinction between helping out a friend occasionally, and providing a regular or commercial service. The definition of regular vs. occasional is still a bit unclear, at least to me
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I would suggest that you contact the BVet with any question you may have. The folks at BVet are quite helpful, and will answer inquiries in English.
[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
If you are caring for cats, none of this applies.
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Browse the BVet site; you will find most of your answers there. Particularly:
http://www.admin.ch/ch/d/sr/455_1/a103.html
By the way, here is the text of the TSchV:
http://www.admin.ch/ch/d/sr/4/455.1.de.pdf
ETA: Also, depending on your business model, you may need some form of insurance - speak with your insurer, they will advise you.
If you are qualified and experienced, and if you set things up so that you are working legally, you can do well with a professional pet sitting business, especially for in-home care in the client's home. Also, if you are able to offer something few other sitters do - for instance, the ability to care for special needs pets - you can set your fees well above the average.
Best of luck to you - there is certainly a need for qualified pet sitters.
(By the bye - perhaps this should be posted in the Pets section rather than in the complaints section... If you ask a moderator to move it, you'll probably get more replies. )
Thank You very much, you are so kind. Have a nice week!!!
and don't forget that BSL may change and affect you and what you have to do, insurance you have to have, etc.
This seems odd to be in complaints corner....!
Mmmm, I thought so too .... just found this thread after reinstating power to my blacked-out home.