If you happen to live in Switzerland, there’s a good chance that you may own a guinea pig. Even in other countries, such as the United States, guinea pigs are often considered as part of the family. When most of us think about other types of pets, such as cats and dogs, we may think about their rights as individuals. But as it turns out, guinea pigs also have the same rights, depending on where you live in the world. And the Swiss are going a step beyond just requiring people to ensure these creatures have the basics such as food, water, and shelter.
Believe it or not, guinea pigs also need companionship, or they can become depressed and very lonely. This is why the Swiss have passed a law that requires folks to own at least two guinea pigs. The law is aimed at improving the lives of guinea pigs by having more than one in an enclosure. However, it also raises another issue, what if one of the guinea pigs dies before the other? Well, it turns out that it isn’t a problem because you can also rent guinea pigs through various services in Switzerland. This can keep you from breaking the law. Neat, huh?
Here’s a video posted by some folks who are really making sure that they are in compliance with the law.
And there are similar laws in existence for other animals that should never live in isolation. For example, goldfish need to have at least one other fish in the tank, and parrots must be socialized with other birds routinely. And while you can own a single cat, you need to ensure that it has access to a window where it can see other cats.
Here’s another serving of guinea pig cuteness as they play inside their cute little castles.
It’s also important to keep your guinea pigs well-groomed by clipping their nails from time to time, as seen in this video.
Perhaps the Swiss government will soon develop plans to help human beings find companionship so they can live a happier life?
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