Pet brings joy and reduces loneliness- animal shelters guidelines for getting and keeping a pet
When you want a pet in your family, think carefully about which animal is the best for you. Read information about what the pet needs, so that it stays healthy and happy.
Pets should be cared for by the whole family, not just the children. Puppies and kittens are raised in homes so that they would get used to people. Puppies for sale are often advertised online. Small pets, such as rabbits, guinea pigs and pet birds are sold also in pet stores. You need to buy food and supplies for your pet. The instructions for that have been collected by Turku´s animal shelter.
Dogs
Dogs live in people’s homes, and they need to be taken out many times a day. Dogs should not be kept on the balcony. If the dog lives outside, it should have a heated doghouse and a kennel. The dog must not be released outdoors without a leash.
Cats
The cat should not be allowed out. There is a risk of being run over by a car. Other angry animals as dogs might attack cats. The cat needs to have a litter box at home.
Pigeons
The pigeons live outside in their own house. The owner of the pigeons must be on the register. Pigeons are allowed to fly freely while the owner is with them. The pigeon must have a ring on the foot with the owner’s number. Read more (in Finnish): www.viestikyyhky.fi/
Other pets
You can keep small birds at home, but they need a big cage. It is a good idea to let the birds fly freely in a room every day. The rabbit should also be allowed to run freely every day.
Disappearance of a pet & lost and found
If the pet is missing, report it to the animal shelter. Police take the found pets to the animal shelter where you can pick them up. You need to pay for the animal shelter for the care. Read more: Turun eläinhoitola.
When a pet becomes ill
If your pet becomes ill, it should be taken to a veterinarian. You can find the nearest veterinarian online. The on-call veterinary hospital is always open: Eläinsairaala Vettori
More information about veterinarians in the Turku area: Vets and veterinary Emergency Services in Turku
Animal Welfare Statement
If you suspect that someone is treating their pet badly, file an animal welfare notice. If the animal does not have food, it has been abandoned, or it is being beaten, please contact the animal protection: elainsuojelu@turku.fi
If there is an emergency with the pet, call the police on 112.