Miscellaneous Animal welfare took in more animals in 2023 - especially ornamental fish

A total of 31,507 animals were handed over to animal shelters affiliated with Swiss Animal Protection last year. This is 13.2 percent more than in the previous year. Swiss animal shelters received ornamental fish in particular.

As reported by Swiss Animal Protection (STS) on Thursday, animal shelters and rescue centers took in 18,614 ornamental fish last year - 3,822 more than in the previous year. With a few exceptions, these were animals whose owners had voluntarily given up keeping them.

This is "worrying", says Julika Fitzi-Rathgen, Head of Animal Welfare at the STS, according to the press release: "The decision to acquire an animal should always be well thought out and prepared". According to Simon Hubacher, head of the STS media office, animal welfare cannot explain this considerable increase in ornamental fish.

According to Mr. Hubacher, the STS does not record the reasons for the surrender of animals at the homes of its 66 sections. However, there have always been fluctuations in all animal species taken in by the STS, including the number of fish handed in. Hubacher said on request.

Of the 31,507 animals taken in in 2023, 25,097 were so-called relinquished animals, i.e. animals that were no longer wanted by their owners. 5237 were foundlings and 1173 came from official confiscations. 16,113 animals could be passed on to new owners. 7539 of these animals were fish.

In particular, the "AquaLuz" catching station in Oftringen AG took in 2023 ornamental fish that were no longer wanted.

SDA