New Pet Registration Form
Comprehensive new pet registration form for Swiss veterinary practices. Covers owner details, pet species, breed, age, vaccination status, insurance, feeding and behavioural notes, and emergency contact. Compliant with Swiss TVD (Tierverkehrsdatenbank) and nFADP.
About this template
This New Pet Registration form is designed for veterinary practices in Switzerland to capture comprehensive information when a new patient (and their owner) registers with the practice. It collects owner contact details, pet identification information including microchip number and TVD registration status, vaccination and health history, dietary requirements, behavioural notes relevant to safe handling, pet insurance details, and an emergency contact. The form is structured to support TVD (Tierverkehrsdatenbank) compliance and Swiss nFADP data protection requirements.
What this form collects
- Owner personal details, address and contact information
- Emergency contact details
- Pet species, breed, name, date of birth and sex
- Microchip number and TVD registration status
- Vaccination history and vaccination card upload
- Current medications and known health conditions
- Feeding routine and dietary requirements
- Behavioural notes for safe handling
- Pet insurance provider and policy number
- Owner signature confirming accuracy of information
TVD and data protection under nFADP
Under Swiss animal identification law (TVierKV), dogs must be microchipped and registered in the Tierverkehrsdatenbank (TVD) within three months of birth or import. Cats must be microchipped and registered from 1 January 2022. Veterinary practices handling owner and animal data must comply with the Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection (nFADP). Personal data collected for veterinary purposes must be stored securely and used only for the stated purpose.
How to use this template
Use this template
Click 'Use template' to create a copy in your dashboard.
Customise for your practice
Add your practice name, logo and any additional questions specific to your patient population (e.g. exotic animals, equine).
Share with new clients before the first appointment
Send the registration form link when confirming the first appointment. Clients can complete it at home and upload vaccination certificates in advance.
Import into your practice management system
Use the submitted data to create the patient and client record in your veterinary practice management software.
Archive securely
Store all completed registration forms for the duration of the patient relationship and for a minimum of ten years thereafter, in line with Swiss veterinary record-keeping standards.
Pet registration in Switzerland: legal requirements and best practices
Switzerland has some of the strictest animal welfare and identification laws in the world. Veterinary practices have a key role in enforcing and supporting compliance with these requirements.
Mandatory microchipping and TVD registration
Since 2006, all dogs in Switzerland must be microchipped (ISO 11784/11785 standard) and registered in the Tierverkehrsdatenbank (TVD) maintained by IDENTITAS AG. Since 1 January 2022, the same obligation applies to cats. Rabbits and other pets are not yet subject to mandatory microchipping under federal law, though some cantons may have additional requirements. Veterinary practices should verify TVD registration at the first consultation and advise owners who have not yet complied.
Vaccination requirements in Switzerland
Switzerland does not have a single mandatory national vaccination schedule for companion animals (unlike some European countries where rabies vaccination is compulsory for dogs). However, the Swiss Small Animal Veterinary Association (SVKS/SCVDA) publishes consensus vaccination guidelines. Core vaccines for dogs include distemper, parvovirus and infectious hepatitis. Core vaccines for cats include herpesvirus, calicivirus and panleukopenia. Rabies vaccination is mandatory for dogs and cats travelling internationally under the TRACES/PETS passport system.
Pet insurance in Switzerland
Pet health insurance is not mandatory in Switzerland but is widely available and increasingly common. Major Swiss pet insurance providers include Agrisano, Axa, Zurich and Helvetia. Veterinary practices benefit from collecting insurance details at registration because insured pets are more likely to receive recommended diagnostic and treatment procedures without financial constraints being a barrier. Practices should confirm whether the client wishes the practice to communicate directly with their insurer.
Data protection obligations for Swiss veterinary practices
Veterinary practices collect and process personal data about owners and sensitive data about animals as part of their clinical operations. Under the revised Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection (nFADP, in force since 1 September 2023), practices must implement appropriate technical and organisational security measures, define retention periods, provide owners with information about their data rights, and appoint a data protection contact person for practices above a certain size.
Frequently asked questions
Is my cat required to be microchipped and registered in Switzerland?
Yes. Since 1 January 2022, all cats in Switzerland must be microchipped and registered in the TVD. Owners who acquired a cat before this date had until 31 December 2022 to comply. Cats born or imported after 1 January 2022 must be microchipped and registered within three months of birth or within ten days of import.
What happens if I move to Switzerland with a pet from the EU?
Pets entering Switzerland from EU member states must meet the requirements of the TRACES/PETS passport system: the pet must be microchipped, vaccinated against rabies (for dogs, cats and ferrets), and accompanied by an official EU pet passport or a Swiss animal health certificate. Upon arrival in Switzerland, dogs and cats must be registered in the TVD within ten days.
Can a veterinary practice share my pet's data with my insurer?
Under Swiss nFADP, data may only be shared with third parties including insurers with the owner's explicit consent. At registration, the practice should ask whether the owner authorises sharing clinical records with their insurance provider. This consent should be documented in the registration form and can be updated at any time.