What to remember when you want to see animals on your visit to Lapland

How to know if the animals encountered during your travels in Finland are doing well? 

It’s not always easy to find ethical animal encounters. Unethical behavior – and poor animal care – can also be encountered in Finland. 

According to information obtained by SEY, many of the sled dogs spend almost half a year in outdoor cages without proper exercise or stimuli. The care received by the huskies can be inadequate, and in worst cases, the feeding and living conditions are completely unsuitable.  

Check these when you meet animals on your travels: 

• What are the living conditions of the animals?
• Are they able to carry out their species-typical behavior?
• Are you able to see the dwellings of the animals?
• How is the source of the animals communicated?

• How are the animals treated?
• Is there a valid certificate proving the well-being of the animals?

Poor animal care can also be encountered in Finland. For example, many sled dogs in husky safaris spend almost half a year in outdoor cages without proper exercise or stimuli. The care received by the huskies can be inadequate, and in worsts cases, the feed and living conditions are completely unsuitable. Photo: iStock 

What to do if the criteria of a certified travel company are not fulfilled? 

Many tourism operators in Finland carry certificates that tell about responsibility. It’s important to remember that no certificate is infallible. In case you encounter failings in the well-being of the animals, contact the issuing body of the specific certificate. In addition, you can take action according to the directions below.

What to do if the animals are in poor conditions or you encounter animal abuse?

If you suspect the animal is in need of help, act. It is in everyone’s interest that you express your concern even if you aren’t sure if a specific law is being infringed on.

• If the situation requires immediate intervention call the Finnish emergency number 112 
• If the animals’ well-being is endangered please contact the animal protection services such as an animal welfare authority, whose contact information are available on the specific town’s or municipality’s website under the search term “animal protection” (“eläinsuojelu”) or “veterinarian” (“eläinlääkäri”) or by calling the municipality’s switchboard
• In non urgent cases you can also file an animal welfare notification (in Finnish) or file a report here (in English).
• Additional information for emergencies here (in English).  

A responsible traveler should avoid destinations with wild animals – especially when there is no reliable information about the conditions of the animals. Photo: Rarin Lee/shutterstock.com 

Looking for an animal friendly trip?  

Avoid these for starters: 

• Circus performances and shows with performing animals 
• Venues that enable petting and or photographing animals in captivity at close quarters 
• Aquariums that keep whales and dolphins 
• Zoos or zoo-like venues, e.g. crocodile and elephant parks, where the origin of the animals is unknown 
• Civet cafes 
• Husky safaris 
• Horse treks that don’t impose weight limits on riders, or where the horses aren’t able to express their species specific behavior. 
  
  Questions or feedback? E-mail us: sey@sey.fi