What do you do if a dog turns up in your garden? This was the subject of a recent article in the HEV newspaper. "Hauseigentümer".

The article states that many people are unaware of the fact that in Switzerland you are legally obligated to report a found dog. There is a 24 hour telephone number to call 0840 848 820 to do so. Local telephone charges apply. Alternativelly you can also visit the website and fill out the forms. www.gefundene-tiere.ch

If you are not a dog owner, when you call you can ask for advice on how to make the dog more comfortable, and in the meantime they will look for a temporary place for the dog. It is possible that the lost dog is very far from home.

If your dog has gone missing, there is a also a reporting procedure. The 24 hour number is 0900 848 820. The charges are 2.13 chf per minute. There is also a website: www.vermisste-tiere.ch

Photos can be sent in both cases by MMS with your mobile. The service is run by the Tierschutz. The costs are set up in such a way that the person who has lost their dog pays more than the person who finds a dog.

I have used the term dog here but of course the service also covers cats and other household pets. According to the article, female cats can wander up to 4 km from their home, male cats even further.

Something to keep in mind...if your lost dog is taken to the Tierheim, when you pick the dog up you will be required to pay for the care of the dog during its stay there.

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