How to submit an animal welfare notification
When should you make an animal welfare notification?
The animal welfare authorities treat your contact details as confidential and will not disclose them to the subject of the notification.
You can submit an animal welfare notification by email: elainsuojelu@turku.fi
In your notification, please include the following information in as much detail as possible:
- which animal is involved
- what has happened
- how did you find out what happened
- the subject of the notification, the name and address of the owner/holder of the animal;
- your name
- your phone number and email address
Animal welfare control
The purpose of the Animal Welfare Act is to protect animals from suffering and pain to the best possible extent. The Act aims to promote animal welfare and good treatment of animals.
Animals must be treated well and not be subjected to unnecessary suffering.
In addition, people who keep animals must ensure animal health and consider the physiological and behavioural needs of the animals.
Animal welfare officers
The supervising veterinarian is the authority responsible for the supervision of animal welfare in their area and, if necessary, provides advice on animal welfare issues. Animal welfare supervision may also be carried out by health inspectors, customs and the police.
The supervision tasks referred to in the Animal Welfare and Animal Diseases Act in Turku, Naantali, Raisio and Rusko are carried out by supervising veterinarians Tiina Korte-Mattila and Tiina Laitala. If the case requires immediate action, call 112.
The supervising veterinarian is supported by the animal rescue centre of the City of Turku which can take care of animals taken in for animal welfare reasons in addition to lost animals. Turku Animal Welfare Association is responsible for wild animals (Tesy).
Read more about lost animals here: Lost animals
Animal welfare inspection
The animal welfare authority has the right to carry out an animal welfare inspection if there is reason to suspect that an animal is being mistreated in violation of the Animal Welfare Act.
As a rule, animal welfare inspections based on suspicion are carried out unannounced. The details of the notifier are not provided in connection with animal welfare inspections.
In accordance with the Animal Welfare Act, planned inspections are carried out at professional establishments specialised in animals (e.g. kennels, riding schools and animal care centres).
Milk hygiene inspections are carried out regularly on dairy farms in accordance with the Food Act, in connection with which animal welfare is also checked.
Animal welfare supervision is also carried out in animal transports, circuses, animal exhibitions and animal competitions.
Disturbances
Barking dogs or similar matters that disturb the environment are not animal welfare matters, and the Animal Welfare Act does not apply in these cases.
In disturbances, you should primarily try to settle the matter with the party causing the disturbance or the housing company. The Public Order Act is enforced by the police.