Does anyone know anything about bring Parrots into the company. I am about to start a new job and desperately want to bring my 4 year old African grey with me but am concerned around Swiss laws surrounding it can anyone shed any light on it.

Thanks

I have lived here 21 years, and never heard of anyone taking any bird into work.

If you really meant to write "into the company", you might want to start by asking your employers. They are more likely to say no than yes, I would imagine, in which case Swiss law is moot.

Pretty sure that should be "country", no?

Depending on where he/she would be coming from, you need a vet certificate, he/she needs to have a pre-determined quarantine location/period and perhaps the bigger challenge - you're not allowed to only have one; you must have a pair.

When we were gathering information for bringing our two parrots here, no one at the BVET ever mentioned this to us. We only heard about it after we got here. Not quite sure what the deal is in bringing them from the UK but you'll need (assuming you mean 'country' not 'company')

a) an import permit from CH (just contact the BVET, they will communicate with you in English if you want). the permit is good for three months and can be renewed if you run iout of time.
b) vet certificates from your end (the Swiss use the standard EU vet certificate)
c) some kind of health certificate from the airlines
d) most importantly, a CITES export permit
e) a quarantine period before you leave (the Swiss don't actually have quarantine facilities).

From the UK, you may need other things. For example, coming from the US, we also had to deal with the US Dept of Agriculture and the Fish and Wildlife Service. Best advice: don't assume everyone is telling you everything you need and that everyone is working on the same page. The airlines definitely *don't* know.

You'd better check with the company you are joining - is it quiet parrot or is it likely to shout "Give us a kiss!" right in the middle of a conference call?

Also, you would have to consider the commute - how would you get it into the office? Train? Tram? Car?

This was very helpful. I obviously meant country. This is devastating news as it means I am going to have to get rid of him and I have had him since a chick. Thanks for the help.

I am not sure why this is devastating news amd why you think you cannot bring him. The only challenge I see is the CITES permit if you do not know the origins of your bird.

You should contact a pet shipper for accurate information specific to your situation. This one is the firm my clients use and many have imported birds.

I have. our CEO is a parrot. He says exactly what the PR folks teach him. He probably makes 500K plus stock options and you have no idea how many cuttlefish that can buy.

Just a random thought and observation... the Swiss are insanely obsessed with their "peace and quiet". I can see a great risk with bringing a parrot into your place of residence, assuming you are moving into an apartment. I know my neighbors would be bothered by it. I can also say I have not personally seen anyone own a parrot, but I've only been here since the beginning of the year. Birds yes, but no parrots thus far. I used to own an electus parrot myself and though she was relatively quiet for a bird, I can still see my Swiss neighbors getting annoyed by her whistles, especially on their precious quiet Sundays. Perhaps I live in an overly sensitive area. I mean my neighbors put a note on our door because we closed our door too loudly.

Just another thought, though personally I would say screw it and bring your family pet with you. It's obvious it's a well loved member of the family.

I'm not Swiss but I'd be pretty ticked off if there was a parrot squawking at all hours.

You don't have to be "insanely obsessed with peace and quiet" to get annoyed by that.

'sensitive area' = 'German part of Switzerland'.
We live in the Italian part and have two eclectus parrots. Yes, they make some noise occasionally. However, we also live in a the Swiss equivalent of an above ground nuclear bunker (new building made of concrete). There are kids running around on loud scooters and dirt bikes at all hours and we live next to the soccer stadium. Anyone who lives here can't really complain about noise. I think the reason parrots aren't so common here is that birds are insanely expensive. I would rather not come to Switzerland before I had to give up my pets. Other people seem to keep just one bird so I'm pretty sure enforcing the two bird 'rule' is not high on anyone's list.

Amen.

When we take on our pets, we take on the responsibility for their welfare - come what may - for their natural lifetime.

Decisions large and small need to be made with that commitment always in mind.

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Tchadwick, you might contact EF members Mrs Doolittle or Snoopy for advise; they have a parrot, brought with them from overseas, now living in the 'quiet' German speaking part of the country.

It should be no problem to bring them from any EU country.

Overseas is another matter, but there are different rules for the EU.

Tom

Anyone with pets has to make this their primary concern when choosing housing. An application form asks if you own pets, and what type, and large birds, including parrots, need to added.

I know plenty of people with parrots. Suitable housing can be found. My neighbours' have loads of kids and they make a lot more noise than our parrot. We fit right in.

I have clients who bring parrots from non EU countries as well. The real issue is the CITES paperwork.

Hi,

Did you ever get a solution for your grey?
I hope you are/were able to bring him.

I have an African Grey, I live in Zurich and have no problems with my neighbours.
But keep it in mind when choosing an apartment, maybe aim for a duplex or something as they create more space between you and your neighbours.

It is illegal to only have one here though, something causing me some worry at the moment.
But there is a place where you can take your bird and they will help him find a friend that you can take home.

Always nice to chat with another grey owner btw - and welcome to Switzerland.