City of Espoo veterinarian

Espoo Region Environmental Health Services is responsible for veterinary care in Espoo, Kauniainen and Kirkkonummi. In addition to basic veterinary services, the city veterinarians’ responsibilities include official duties based on the Veterinary Care Act, such as animal disease control, animal protection control and animal import and export inspections.

Due to the wide range of tasks carried out by the city veterinarians, we only have limited resources to offer appointments and advice.

City veterinarians:

Veterinarian Taija Kuronen

Veterinarian Raisa Lohman

The office of the City of Espoo’s veterinarians is located at Pihatörmä 1 A in Olari.

Book an appointment preferably Mon–Fri 9:00–10:00, tel. 09 8168 4458.

When visiting a city veterinarian, we ask you to wear a face mask while your pet is being treated as it is often impossible to maintain safe distances. You do not need to wear a mask in the waiting area if you can maintain a safe distance from other people. Instructions for a veterinarian’s appointment (ulkoinen linkki)(external link)

You can also book an appointment online:

Online appointment booking system(ulkoinen linkki)(external link)

Urgent veterinary services outside of office hours (Mon–Fri 16:00–8:00 and around the clock on weekends) are provided by the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (ulkoinen linkki)(external link).

There are also many private veterinarians and veterinary clinics operating in Espoo.

The aim of the Animal Welfare Act and Decree is to protect animals from distress, pain and suffering in the best possible way and to promote the welfare and good treatment of animals.

Generally speaking, people take good care of animals in Espoo. However, veterinarians and health inspectors receive hundreds of notifications of suspected animal welfare violations and poor treatment of animals every year. All cases are checked, but not all visits lead to further measures. The owner of the animal will be advised on how to take care of their animal and, if necessary, they will be ordered to fix possible shortcomings.

How to submit an animal welfare notification

You can submit an animal welfare notification by email to elainlaakari@espoo.fi.

Your notification must include a brief explanation of why you believe that an animal welfare inspection is necessary. For example, the barking of a dog alone does not give cause for an animal welfare inspection. It is considered a disturbance, which is the responsibility of other authorities.

Your notification must also include the name and full address of the owner of the animal (including their apartment number and preferably a door code, if necessary).

You should also provide your own information as you may be contacted for further information. Your information will never be disclosed to the person in question.

Stray animals found in Espoo, Kauniainen and Kirkkonummi are taken to the Viikki animal shelter at Koetilantie 13, Helsinki (tel. 040 198 0778, viikki@hesy.fi). Further information is available on the website of the Viikki animal shelter (ulkoinen linkki)(external link).

According to the Animal Welfare Act, an animal that is impounded must be kept for 15 days, after which the municipality has the right to sell, give away or put down the animal. The City of Espoo has made an agreement with the Helsinki Humane Society (HESY) concerning the transport of stray pets. If your pet is missing, please contact the Viikki animal shelter, HESY or the police.

If you need help with transporting a stray animal:

Helsinki Humane Society HESY ry

Tel. 09 5420 0100, Mon–Fri 10:00–17:00

Other websites

Viikin löytöeläintalo(ulkoinen linkki)(external link)
Eläinsuojelu ja eläinten pito (Ruokavirasto)(ulkoinen linkki)(external link)
Eläinsuojelulaki(ulkoinen linkki)(external link)
Eläinsuojeluasetus(ulkoinen linkki)(external link)
Helsingin eläinsuojeluyhdistys(ulkoinen linkki)(external link)
Suomen eläinsuojeluyhdistysten liitto(ulkoinen linkki)(external link)
Karkurit(ulkoinen linkki)(external link)