Animal protection

The purpose of the Animal Welfare Act is to promote animal welfare and protect animals in the best possible way from harm to their welfare.

More information about the new Animal Welfare Act

The authority responsible for animal welfare supervision is the supervisory veterinarian. Animal welfare supervision is also carried out by other veterinarians, the police and health inspectors. The provincial veterinarian of the Regional State Administrative Agency guides and supervises compliance with animal welfare regulations in his area.

Animal welfare inspections are carried out based on reports when there is a suspicion of an activity that violates animal welfare legislation. Anyone can make a report. In the Kankaanpää area, reports are primarily made to the area's supervising veterinarian.

In accordance with the Animal Welfare Act, inspections are carried out regularly annually on professional animal facilities (e.g. kennels, horse stables and dairy farms). By order of the Regional State Administrative Agency, some EU animal welfare inspections are also carried out on production facilities. Animal welfare supervision is also carried out in circuses, animal exhibitions and animal competitions.

If you suspect that the Animal Welfare Act is being violated, you can report the matter to the supervising veterinarian by email. [email protected] or by phone at 044 577 3321.

Professional companion and hobby animal husbandry

A professional companion animal or hobby animal owner must, in accordance with the Animal Welfare Decree, submit a notification of their activities. The notification is made to the Regional State Administrative Agency (AVI). In the Kankaanpää area, notifications are made to the Turku office of the Regional State Administrative Agency for Southwest Finland at the following address:

[email protected]

The notification form can be found at www.suomi.fi/palvelut/lomake/ilmoitus-elainten-pidosta-tai-valitystoiminnasta-aluehallintovirasto

Professional or otherwise large-scale companion and hobby animal keeping includes:

1. the regular sale, other transfer or transfer of companion and hobby animals, the practitioner of which:
   a) sells or otherwise disposes of cats, dogs, ferrets or rabbits from at least three self-raised litters per year;
   b) sells, otherwise transfers or conveys at least 10 cats, dogs, ferrets or rabbits other than those raised by the person per year;
   c) sells or otherwise disposes of at least six horses or other equine animals per year; or
   d) carry out similar activities with small companion and hobby animal species when the animals regularly use at least 7 cages, terrariums or aquariums;
2. large-scale keeping of companion and hobby animals, where the operator:
   (a) at least seven dogs, cats or ferrets over 6 months of age;
   (b) at least seven equidae over 12 months of age;
   (c) at least ten rabbits over 6 months of age; or
   d) small companion and hobby animal species, so that at least 20 cages, terrariums or aquariums are regularly used by the animals;
3. taking in dogs or cats for care, keeping or training, if at least six dogs or cats are kept at the same time and regularly;
4. when trotting or riding horses or other equines are rented, taken in for keeping or care, training or education, or when instruction is given in the use and handling of the said animals, if a total of at least six animals are kept simultaneously and regularly;
5. the activities referred to in points (b) to (c) of paragraph 1, points (a) to (c) of paragraph 2, and paragraphs 3 and 4, involving a total of at least 15 dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, horses or other equine animals;
6. other professional or large-scale keeping of companion and hobby animals similar to those referred to in paragraphs 1–5.

(EHL 693/2023 Appendix 2)