Quote:
	Art. 13 Soziallebende Arten Nach Artikel 13 müssen soziallebende Arten grundsätzlich mit Artgenossen gehalten werden. Soziale Lebewesen brauchen Artgenossen für ihr Wohlergehen, da soziale Interaktionen zum Normalverhalten soziallebender Tiere gehören, bereichernd sind und eine gute Beschäftigungsmöglichkeit bieten. Einzelhaltung bedeutet für Individuen soziallebender Tierarten eine erhebliche Einschränkung. Dieser Grundsatz gilt nicht nur für landwirtschaftliche Nutztiere wie Rinder, Schweine, Schafe, Ziegen, Pferde, Kaninchen und Geflügel, sondern auch für die anderen Haustiere und auch für die Wild- und Versuchstiere. Soweit nötig, wird diese Forderung für einzelne Tierarten in den entsprechenden Abschnitten konkretisiert. Damit beim Tod eines Sozialpartners nicht zwingend immer wieder ein neues Tier angeschafft werden muss, ist der Artikel in besonderen Situationen angemessen anzuwenden. Spezielle Ausnahmen sind bei den jeweiligen Tierarten aufgeführt. Hunde, ebenso wie Katzen mit ausreichend Kontakt zum Menschen und ausreichender Beschäftigung, können zum Beispiel auch einzeln gehalten werden.

If the owner is home most of the time, then you CAN have just the one cat. Some cats can't STAND other cats but if the owner is there to play with them and provide the necessary interaction, it should be ok.

Not true. That link is referring to wild animals, not domestic cats. One domestic cat is fine.

I would also agree that you will inevitably have problems moving a cat used to the outdoors to a small apartment where it is not allowed out. I doubt a balcony will help much either. I would strongly advise continuing to look for a ground floor apartment where it can go outside again.

Thanks Helm. I understand the reasoning. I will check the link in a language that I know too.

The funny thing is that our cat started life with us in Switzerland, Geneva (never any mention from anyone that more than one required). Then we lived in the UK for a long time and now we have arrived in Basel and the two-cat issue has arisen.

What if the cat has always been on its own and does not like any newcomers?

What if you have two cats and one dies? It becomes a never ending responsibility to always have two cats (vet bills, etc. included) - compatibility matters between animals aside.

Patsycat - do you want my cat so you then have two?

Well, the mind boggles and I shall have to investigate this question further. I certainly do not want any more pets - our one is enough! I also keep her company a lot as I work from home.

Hmmm... that link is only about the wild animals and reptiles... You'll need to search for the correct law inside the site.

The law was changed in 2008. But like I said, if the cat has company all day, it is not a problem.

Thanks Kittster for the correct link I am actually happy to see there are actually exceptions! *starts dreaming of getting a kitty again*

As a brand newbie (this is my first post) please forgive as required...
Poor Flamelily! My husband & I have just experienced a similar situation. He came to Basel with our 2 beloved furchildren 2 months prior to my arrival and had a 1 room studio (sim to an English hotel room in size!). He nearly went insane.
We now have our permanent accommodation, a 2 bed apartment with separate lounge & dining areas and a small terrace. Our furniture from 'home' is due in the next week or so. The difference in the moggies after being confined is fantastic. Things will be different - again, but they WILL be better! Lots of games and cuddles, patience, a sympathetic vet close by and windows with big sills, some greenery that has birds just outside, you'll be fine! Both my cats have been used to the outdoors in an inner city environment (but always confined at night), and so far have adapted really well to indoor life. They are active till around 11pm, then settle down til about 4am, when they start hunting games and wrestling with each other. not so cool on bare floors, but the carpets are coming. We've met our 'underneath' neighbour who has said he cannot hear them, so that's another base covered.... Good luck :-)
(BTW 1 moggie is 9YO & diabetic, diet controlled. My 'babycat' is nearly 3, nervous & shy. both difficult cats to rehome, so here we are. I just can't wait to see their reaction to snow!!)

There is another cat that comes up Jimmy's ladder and eats all his food. So I do have sort of one cat and a half.

I did think about getting a second cat after Saturna died two years ago. But Jimmy is so set in his ways, I don't think it would work. So, I would rather have one happy tiddles than two upset ones!!! F the laws!!!

Also, I am home all day so he doesn't get lonely.

Hi,

Sorry to hear you are having so much bother with your puss,you have been given lots of good advice. I would suggest a play pal but tbh we have a boy here who is absolutely desperate to go outdoors and makes the life of the other cats very miserable with his narky attitude,so it can go badly wrong if a play pal is added and your puss is still desperate to go out.

What about short spells out on a harness/lead, get rid of some of her surplus energy? Cats are exceptionally intelligent and can learn to walk well this way. I do not understand why your landlord does not allow barriers for your balcony,if they allow cats then surely they have to understand the need to keep them safe. I would suggest tons of different toys that keep her amused, lots of interactive play,laser lights good scratchers with hiding holes.Crunchy tunnels etc.

I hope you find a soloution for your issues with your cat. It is so difficult in a small apartment,our apartment is big but once they have the lust for the great outdoors they will want to go out all the time.

Best wishes
Darcy

In additon to Feliway as other posters suggested, you can also try http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...ef=oss_product. I don't think you can get it in Switzerland, but the seller on Amazon UK can ship it over and given the low price, there shuoldn't be any duties.

I got these collars in the states and used them when I moved my three cats over. They worked well. We just moved flat, and I've just ordered some from the UK to help calm the cats down.

Thank you to the last contributors!

We will be moving from our temporary to our permanent flat at the end of this week, including the terrible cat. She will recognise "her" furniture and have more space than at present. I will let her onto the balcony and supervise her at those times. She will certainly have birds at a distance and even closer judging by the presents left on the balcony!

Fingers crossed.

Hello, I thought it was time for an update on our cat's behaviour in our new environment.

We tried two nights excluding her from the bedroom and she made a terrible racket. The third night we let her in and she settled happily on a chair in the bedroom and hardly disturbed us. Thank the heavens!

It seems that the familiar furniture and the company I provide now contribute to our cat's wellbeing... and therefore to ours.

As far as the balcony is concerned, we still want to set up a branch with observation platform for our cat. I have to survey her when she is on the balcony because she very quickly found her way to the neighbour's and had to be tempted back with pâté!

What a relief that the bad spell is over.