Swiss animal lovers have founded a political party to represent the interests of their four-legged friends, according to Swiss news agency ATS.
The Animal Party Switzerland was established on Saturday with an economist, a lawyer and the head of the Swiss vegetarian union as founding members, said the agency, quoting Thomas Maerki, who heads the new party.
The party - which plans to contest elections next year - has set up a page on Facebook with the slogan "because animals need a voice", and a pledge to "represent the interests of animals in politics and the economy".
Switzerland boasts strict laws protecting animals. It is illegal to flush goldfish alive down a toilet and owners of some animals such as budgies and hamsters must guarantee that the animals have social companions.
Even sheep and goats must have at least a "visual contact with their fellows".