Reporting the keeping of animals

Anyone who keeps cattle, pigs (including minipigs), sheep, goats, poultry, horses, camelids and deer (except reindeer), fur animals or fish, crustaceans or molluscs (except ornamental animals), bees and bumblebees must submit a notification of animal keeping and register their holding in the electronic Animal Keepers and Holdings Register. Alternatively, you can fill out the forms available on the Finnish Food Authority's website and send them to the rural economy authority of your municipality.

The registration obligation applies to all keepers of these animals, regardless of the purpose of keeping the animals and how many animals there are. The registration obligation also applies to, for example, individual summer chickens and sheep. Notifications must be made at least 30 days before starting the activity. Any change or termination of the activity must also be notified within 30 days.

Dog registry

Every dog ​​must be registered in the Finnish Food Authority's dog register. The dog register is an owner register, where one dog owner must be entered.

Professional pet and hobby animal keeping

According to Section 693/2023 of the Animal Welfare Act, professional or otherwise large-scale animal keeping must be reported to the Regional State Administrative Agency. The notification must be made to the Regional State Administrative Agency of your area no later than 30 days before the start, end or substantial change of the activity.

According to Annex 2 of the Animal Welfare Act, professional or otherwise large-scale keeping of companion and hobby animals is:

1. Such regular trading, other transfer or brokerage of companion and hobby animals, where the person who carries out the activity: sells or otherwise transfers cats, dogs, ferrets or rabbits from at least three litters raised by the person himself per year sells, otherwise transfers or brokers at least 10 cats, dogs, ferrets or rabbits other than those raised by the person himself per year

   sells or otherwise disposes of at least six horses or other equines per year

   engage in 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 keeps: at least seven dogs, cats or ferrets over 6 months old at least seven equines over 12 months old

   at least ten rabbits over 6 months of age; or

   small companion and hobby animal species, so that the animals have regular use of at least 20 cages, terrariums or aquariums.

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. Activities referred to in points (b) to (c) of paragraph 1, points (a) to (c) of paragraph 2, and in 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.