¹ The objective of training in accordance with Article 31 paragraph 5, 85 paragraph 2, 97 paragraph 2, 102 paragraph 2 or 103 letter e AniWO must be to ensure that animal keepers or persons responsible for their care, handle them with due care, house them in a species-appropriate manner, keep them healthy, breed them responsibly and raise healthy young animals.

² The objective of training in accordance with Article 102 paragraph 5 AniWO must be to ensure that persons who perform hoof care for cattle or equids know how to handle the animals with due care.

¹ Training comprises a theoretical part, a practical part and a traineeship with an organisation in accordance with Article 206 AniWO.

² The theoretical part and the practical part together comprise at least 40 hours, of which the theoretical part accounts for at least 20 hours and the practical part at least 10 hours. The traineeship lasts at least three months.

³ At least 10 hours of the theoretical part of training for persons who breed pets or working dogs commercially must deal with the areas described in Article 4 paragraph 2 letters d–g.⁸

¹ The theoretical part provides basic knowledge of the following aspects relating to the animals being cared for:

a.

animal welfare legislation and other legislation relevant to the specific area;

b.

handling of animals with due care;

c.

hygiene in enclosures and premises, hygiene of material and persons, and prevention of infectious diseases;

d.

responsibilities, obligations and competencies of the persons caring for the animals;

e.

anatomy and physiology of the animal; and

f.

normal behaviour and needs of the animals as well as signs of anxiety, stress and suffering.

² The theoretical part of training in accordance with Article 31 paragraph 5, 85 paragraph 2, 97 paragraph 2, 102 paragraph 2 or 103 letter e AniWO provides in-depth knowledge of the following aspects relating to the animals being cared for:⁹

a.

animal care and the care of sick and injured animals;

b.

feeding, in particular the composition of feed, physiological feed requirements and occupation in the context of feeding;

c.

housing requirements and design of the housing environment to enable species-specific behaviour;

d.

rearing animals and normal development of young animals;

e.

course of a normal birth or egg laying and the most common signs of birthing problems or egg binding;

f.

genetic theory, breeding methods and parentage tests; and

g.

breeding objectives and genetic defects.

³ The theoretical part of training in accordance with Article 102 paragraph 5 AniWO provides in-depth knowledge of the following aspects:

a.

animal care and the care of sick and injured animals;

b.

correct handling of animals;

c.

housing conditions that enable species-specific behaviour;

d.

providing the services with due care;

e.

cleaning and disinfection of rooms, enclosures and equipment.¹⁰

¹ The practical part of training in accordance with Article 31 paragraph 5, 85 paragraph 2, 97 paragraph 2, 102 paragraph 2 or 103 letter e AniWO must contain practical exercises in handling the animals, care, observation of behaviour, setting up enclosures and hygiene.¹²

² The practical part of training in accordance with Article 102 paragraph 5 AniWO must contain practical exercises in handling the animals, care, hygiene and carrying out the procedures on the animal associated with the services.

The objective of training in accordance with Article 103 letter b AniWO must be to ensure that retail specialists house the animals according to their needs and keep them healthy, pass on their knowledge to customers in a suitable form and know what is important for breeding and keeping healthy animals responsibly.

¹ Training consists of a theoretical part and a traineeship with one or more organisations as described in Article 206 AniWO. The traineeship relates to specific animal groups, involving at least four of the animal groups listed in Article 5d paragraph 1.

² The theoretical part comprises at least 90 hours, the traineeship at least 40 working days, of which at least ten working days must be devoted to each of four different animal groups listed in Article 5d.

1 The theoretical part provides basic knowledge of the following aspects:

a.

animal welfare legislation and other legislation relevant to the specific area;

b.

handling of animals with due care;

c.

hygiene in enclosures and of material and persons, and prevention of infectious diseases;

e.

anatomy and physiology of the animal; and

f.

normal behaviour and needs of the animals as well as signs of anxiety, stress and suffering.

2 It provides in-depth knowledge of the following aspects of commonly traded animals:

a.

animal care and the care of sick and injured animals;

b.

feeding, in particular the composition of feed, physiological feed requirements, occupation in the context of feeding;

c.

housing requirements and design of a housing environment to enable species-specific behaviour;

d.

raising animals; and

e.

correct euthanasia of animals being cared for.

¹ The traineeship covers the following animal groups:

a.

dogs, cats and ferrets;

b.

small mammals, particularly rodents, rabbits and tenrecs;

c.

birds, particularly canaries, estrildid finches and parrot-like birds;

d.

freshwater and saltwater fish;

e.

pond fish;

f.

reptiles, particularly lizards, snakes and tortoises, and amphibians, particularly frogs and salamanders.

² It must contain practical exercises in the handling of animals, care, observation of behaviour, setting up enclosures, hygiene and transport of animals.

The objective of training in accordance with Article 150 AniWO must be to ensure that animal transport personnel handle animals with due care and provide the correct care.

¹ The theoretical part comprises at least 12 hours.

² The practical part is provided for specific groups of animals and is learned by accompanying an experienced animal transport operator, comprising:

a.

for poultry transport personnel: at least two working days spent on poultry;

b.

for animal transport personnel who transport pets, laboratory animals or wild animals: at least two working days spent on regularly transported animal species in these animal groups;

c.

in all other cases at least five working days, of which at least one day must be spent on each of the animal groups listed in Article 9 paragraph 1 letters a–d.¹⁴

¹ The theoretical part provides basic knowledge of the following aspects:

a.

legislation concerning animal welfare, epizootic diseases and road traffic;

b.

normal behaviour and needs of the animals; and

c.

structure and functioning of the animal.

² It provides in-depth knowledge of the following aspects:

a.

handling animals in situations such as loading and unloading, herding, stress-reducing housing during transport with special reference to climatic conditions during transport and group composition;

b.

care of sick and injured animals;

c.

driving style;

d.

requirements on technical equipment such as ramps, vehicles and trailers;

e.

responsibilities, obligations and competencies of members of the management, dispatchers, drivers and animal carers; and

f.

cleaning and disinfection.

¹ The practical part is taught with reference to the following specific animal groups:

a.

young bovine animals or bulls;

b.

cows;

c.

pigs;

d.

small ruminants;

e.

poultry;

f.¹⁵

pets, particularly dogs and cats;

g.¹⁶

laboratory animals; and

h.¹⁷

wild animals.

² It must contain practical exercises in the handling of animals in situations such as loading and unloading, herding, driving and care of the animals.

The objective of training in accordance with Article 177 paragraph 2 AniWO must be to ensure that personnel in slaughterhouse facilities handle animals with due care and stun and bleed them correctly.

¹ Training comprises a theoretical part and a practical part. The practical part is taught under instruction while working at one or more slaughterhouse facilities²¹. It relates to specific tasks, involving at least one of the animal groups listed in Article 9 paragraph 1. Persons who perform activities with more than one animal group must receive practical training with at least two of the animal groups listed in Article 9 paragraph 1.

² Persons with a managerial function and animal welfare officers in accordance with Article 177a paragraph 3 AniWO must be trained in both areas of activity in accordance with Article 177 paragraph 2 letters a and b AniWO.

³ The theoretical part comprises at least six hours.

⁴ The practical part comprises at least two days for each animal group and at least 12 hours in total.

¹ The theoretical part provides basic knowledge of the following aspects:

a.

legislation governing animal welfare, epizootic diseases and food hygiene;

b.

normal behaviour and needs of the animals; and

c.

anatomy and physiology of the animal.

² The theoretical part of training in accordance with Article 177 paragraph 2 letter a AniWO provides in-depth knowledge of the following aspects:

a.

handling animals in situations such as unloading, herding, housing and care; and

b.

responsibilities, obligations and competencies of persons assigned to unload and herd the animals, house them in compliance with animal welfare requirements and care for them in slaughterhouse facilities.

³ The theoretical part of training in accordance with Article 177 paragraph 2 letter b AniWO provides in-depth knowledge of the following aspects:

a.

use of stunning methods and checking their efficacy;

b.

bleeding;

c.

correct use, cleaning and storage of stunning equipment and cartridges, and checking they operate correctly; and

d.

responsibilities, obligations and competencies of persons assigned to stun and bleed animals in slaughterhouse facilities.

The practical part comprises:

a.

for training in accordance with Article 177 paragraph 2 letter a AniWO: practical exercises in handling animals in situations such as unloading, herding, housing and care;

a.

for training in accordance with Article 177 paragraph 2 letter b AniWO: practical exercises in the use of stunning methods and cleaning and checking stunning equipment.

¹ The objective of training in accordance with Article 203 AniWO must be to give trainers of animal keepers in-depth knowledge of the species-specific needs of animals and their appropriate housing.

² ...²²

³ After completing their training, trainers must be able to pass on their knowledge clearly and comprehensibly.

Training comprises at least 140 hours in total, of which the theoretical part accounts for at least 50 and no more than 70 hours.

¹ The theoretical part provides basic knowledge of the following:

a.

structure of lessons and timetables;

b.

applied learning psychology;

c.

position of animal welfare legislation in the Swiss legal system, tasks of animal welfare authorities and obligations of animal keepers; and

d.

administration of course organisation.

² It provides in-depth knowledge of the aspects covered in the respective training in accordance with Articles 197 and 198 AniWO.

The practical part provides practical skills in the areas covered by Article 16.

The objective of training in accordance with Article 115 AniWO must be to ensure that the head of a laboratory animal facility ensures that the laboratory animals are housed and cared for correctly, that they are handled with due care and that laboratory animals are bred or produced responsibly.

Training comprises at least 40 hours in total, of which the theoretical part accounts for at least 30 hours.

¹ The theoretical part provides basic knowledge of the content described in Article 24 paragraph 1 letters b–d.

² It provides in-depth knowledge of the content described in Article 24 paragraphs 1 letters e–j and 2 letters a–f and i, and in Article 28 letters a, f and g.

The practical part teaches the content described in Article 25 letters a–f and the practical implementation of the requirements applicable to an existing laboratory animal facility.

¹ The objective of training in accordance with Article 134 AniWO must be to ensure that persons who conduct experiments handle laboratory animals responsibly and with due care.

² Training must teach the 3R principle (replace-reduce-refine), according to which:

a.

animal experiments must be replaced wherever possible by methods that do not involve laboratory animals (replace);

b.

the number of animal experiments must be restricted to the minimum (reduce);

c.

the constraints on the laboratory animals must be kept as small as possible (refine).

The theoretical and practical parts each comprise at least 20 hours.

¹ The theoretical part provides basic knowledge of the following aspects of commonly used laboratory animal species:

a.

principles of the animal welfare legislation and regulations specific to animal experiments;

b.

ethical principles relating to the use of animals for scientific purposes, their dignity and their value;

c.

anatomy and physiology of the animal;

d.

normal behaviour and needs of the animals and signs of anxiety, stress and suffering;

e.

breeding methods, the major strains of laboratory animal and genetic standardisation;

f.

methods of producing genetically modified animals and characterising them;

g.

rearing;

h.

health monitoring and the major diseases in laboratory animals, hygiene in enclosures and premises and of material and persons, and prevention of infectious diseases;

i.

housing animals in barrier systems, here specific pathogen-free and gnotobiotic animals; and

j.

responsibilities, obligations and competencies of the persons caring for the animals;

² It provides in-depth knowledge of the following aspects of the laboratory animals used:

a.

handling laboratory animals with due care;

b.

care, particularly of sick or operated laboratory animals;

c.

feeding, particularly of sick or operated laboratory animals;

d.

housing requirements and design of a housing environment that enables species-specific behaviour;

e.

abnormal behaviour with respect to signs of sickness, pain, agitation and anxiety;

f.

transport of laboratory animals with due care;

g.

suitable methods of anaesthesia that do not cause any avoidable suffering and checking their efficacy;

h.

correct analgesia;

i.

correct euthanasia; and

j.

the 3R principle and its practical implementation using established examples.

The practical part must contain practical exercises covering:

a.

handling of laboratory animals with due care;

b.

observation of behaviour;

c.

determination of weight and sex;

d.

marking laboratory animals;

e.

drawing blood, administration of substances, collection of samples of urine and faeces;

f.

working hygienically;

g.

recognition of the different stages of general anaesthesia and monitoring them, and administration of analgesics and checking analgesia.

The objective of training in accordance with Article 129b paragraph 1 or 132 paragraph 1 AniWO must be to ensure that animal welfare officers and study directors plan and direct animal experiments correctly and apply the 3R principle.

Training consists of a theoretical part and an experimental objective-focused part, each lasting at least 20 hours.

The theoretical part expands the teaching content described in Article 24 and provides knowledge of the following aspects:

a.

animal welfare regulations applicable to animal experiments and laboratory animals;

b.

national regulations concerning the registration of medicinal products, biological agents and chemicals, and the principles of corresponding international agreements;

c.

research in and analysis of scientific publications with respect to planning experiments and reviewing possible alternative methods, knowledge of the major sources regarding alternative methods;

d.

biometrics and use of statistical methods to plan experiments and analyse and interpret results;

e.

selection of suitable animal species, strains and lines depending on the experimental design;

f.

pain assessment and recording of constraints;

g.

ways of reducing the constraints on laboratory animals, particularly ways of administering analgesics and applying withdrawal criteria;

h.

principles of good laboratory practice;

i.

prevention and recognition of diseases, influence of infectious diseases or drug administration on the experimental results;

j.

gnotobiology;

k.

procedure, stages and possible complications during and after anaesthesia, including the measures necessary to rectify them; and

l.

pharmacological properties of the most common anaesthetic and analgesic agents, their selection in view of the animal species, nature of the intervention and experimental design and species-specific reactions to anaesthetics.

The experimental objective-focused part provides in a suitable form the method- and species-specific knowledge required to ensure that the intended animal experiments are conducted correctly.

The objective of training in accordance with Article 31 paragraph 4 or 85 paragraph 3 AniWO must be to ensure that animal keepers or the persons responsible for caring for animals are familiar with the principles of appropriate animal husbandry.

Training is given in the form of a course or a traineeship. The course comprises at least five hours of theory, the traineeship at least three weeks of helping to care for the animals in an animal housing facility.

Training provides basic knowledge or practical skills in the area of legal foundations, the species-specific needs of the animals, animal care, feeding, equipment of the housing environment and rearing young animals.

The objective of training in accordance with Article 97 paragraph 3 AniWO must be to ensure that the trained persons know how to handle fish and decapods with due care and avoid unnecessary constraints on them.

Training is given in the form of a course with practical exercises and lasts at least five hours.

Training provides:

a.

basic knowledge of the legal foundations, structure and functioning of the body of fishes and decapods, and water quality monitoring;

b.

in-depth knowledge of housing requirements, particularly where stocking density is high, and of constraints imposed by marking methods;

c.

the ability to catch, mark, keep and kill the animals with due care.

The objective of training in accordance with Article 103 letter d AniWO must be to ensure that the persons responsible for caring for animals during fixed-term events or advertising know how to handle them with due care.

Training is provided in the form of a course lasting at least three hours or a traineeship during at least three events at a business as described in Article 206 AniWO under the guidance of a person with a corresponding certificate of competence.

Training provides basic knowledge of the legal foundations and in-depth knowledge of how to catch and restrain animals, how to transport them with due care, species-appropriate care and housing design, and keeping animal inventories.

The objective of training in accordance with Article 32 AniWO must be to ensure that animal keepers castrate or dehorn young animals correctly, with due care.

Training is provided in the form of a theory course lasting at least three hours, followed by practice under the guidance of a veterinarian on the keeper’s own premises.

¹ Training provides basic knowledge of the legal foundations and anatomy and in-depth knowledge of the stress and pain caused, anaesthesia and surgery.

² Practice on the keeper’s own premises must contain exercises in the appropriate preparation of the animal for the intervention, correct dosage and administration of veterinary drugs and the correct performance of the procedure and monitoring of the animal.

Any person who provides training must issue participants with written documents containing the material learned.

The learning outcome is evaluated and documented after the theoretical part has been completed.

Practical exercises during training are performed under supervision by carrying out the day-to-day work in an animal housing facility. No procedures may be carried out on animals purely for training purposes unless that procedure has been approved as an animal experiment in accordance with Article 141 AniWO.

The confirmation that provides evidence of training in accordance with Article 197 AniWO or of a course in accordance with Article 198 paragraph 2 AniWO must contain at least the following information:

a.

the logo or stamp with the name and address of the organiser;

b.

the surname, first name, date of birth, place or country of origin and place of residence of the person who has completed the course;

c.

the place and date of training and title of training;

d.

the place, date, name and signature of the person responsible for the training.

The confirmation that provides evidence of a traineeship in accordance with Article 198 paragraph 2 AniWO must contain at least the following information:⁴⁴

a.

the name, address, training and practical experience of the person responsible for looking after the trainee;

b.

the details of the stock and form of use of the animal housing facility;

c.

the surname, first name, date of birth, place or country of origin and place of residence of the trainee;

d.

the duration, scope and nature of the activities performed by the trainee;

e.

the place, date, name and signature of the facility manager.

The authorities shall confirm the long-standing experience in accordance with Article 193 paragraph 3 AniWO of a person in handling a type of animal by providing the following information:

a.

the surname, first name, date of birth, place or country of origin and place of residence of the person;

b.

information about the stock, form of use, length of time for which the animal housing facility has existed and the person responsible for caring for the animals;

c.

the place, date, stamp, name and signature of the person authorised by the competent authority for this purpose.

Confirmation of participation in continuing education must contain at least the following information:

a.

the organiser;

b.

the title and duration of the continuing education, with the place in which it was carried out and the date;

c.

the name of the participant.

1 The organisations that offer specialist training independent of vocational training shall conduct the examinations that complete this training.⁴⁶

² The training facilities described in Article 205 AniWO shall conduct the examination that completes the training of trainers of animal keepers.

³ The cantons shall conduct the examinations in accordance with Article 76 paragraph 3 AniWO to gain approval to use equipment for therapeutic purposes when handling dogs.⁴⁷

⁴ ...⁴⁸

¹ The organisers of training courses designate the examination supervisory board.

² The examination supervisory board shall comprise at least three members who fulfil the requirements on examination experts stipulated in Article 60.

¹ The organisers nominate examination experts who fulfil at least the requirements stipulated in Article 203 AniWO for the subjects to be examined.

² In addition to the examination expert, at least one further independent person must be present in an advisory capacity when the examination is held.

³ The results of and particular observations made during the examination, including objections raised by the candidates, shall be recorded in writing and signed by the inspecting person and the advisor.

¹ The examination experts report the outcome of the examination and their assessment of the success of the examination to the examination supervisory board in writing.

² The examination supervisory board decides on the basis of the evaluation whether the examination has been passed.

¹ Candidates register with the organisation conducting the examination, providing evidence that the prescribed training courses have been attended.

² The training facility conducting the examination decides whether candidates are allowed to sit the examination.

¹ The evaluation is expressed in whole and half marks. 6 is the highest mark, 1 the lowest. The pass mark is 4.

2 The examination at the end of specialised training not leading to a vocational qualification has been passed if the average mark is at least 4; no mark for an individual part of the examination may be below 3.⁴⁹3

3 The examination at the end of the specialised training not leading to a vocational qualification for animal transport personnel and personnel in slaughterhouse facilities has been passed if the candidate has achieved a mark of at least 4.⁵⁰

⁴ The examination to gain approval to use equipment for therapeutic purposes when handling dogs in accordance with Article 76 paragraph 3 AniWO has been passed if the average mark is at least 4.⁵¹

5 ...⁵²

¹ A failed examination may be retaken a maximum of two times. It may be retaken no earlier than three months after the most recent failed examination.

² Trainers of animal keepers do not need to retake parts of the examination in which they achieved a mark of at least 4.

A person who has passed the examination receives a certificate from the organisation responsible for the examination, showing that the examination has been completed successfully and containing at least the following information:

a.

the logo with the name and address of the organiser responsible for the examination;

b.

the surname, first name, date of birth, place or country of origin and place of residence of the candidate;

c.

the place and date of examination;

d.

details of the training completed by the examination;

e.

the place, date, name and signature of the examination organiser.

¹ The examination to conclude specialised training not leading to a vocational qualification and the examination for persons who use equipment for therapeutic purposes as described in Article 76 paragraph 3 AniWO may be held in writing or orally.

² Animal transport personnel and personnel in slaughterhouse facilities undergo a written or oral examination lasting 30 minutes.

¹ The examination covers all areas of the material taught during training.

² The examination for animal transport personnel and personnel in slaughterhouse facilities must cover at least three different areas of the material taught in the training. Emphasis must be placed on examining the practical aspects and the examination questions must refer to specific tasks.

Repealed