Animals
Animal health and welfare
Espoo Region Environmental Health Services is responsible for veterinary services and animal welfare supervision in Espoo, Kirkkonummi and Kauniainen.
Dogs and cats
According to the Public Order Act (612/2003, section 14), dogs must always be kept on a leash in built-up areas. In built-up areas, dogs may only be let off the leash in dog parks, dog training areas and fenced yard areas. Even then, the dog’s owner or keeper must supervise the dog. Always clean up after your dog and dispose of the waste in the nearest litter bin. Cats must not roam freely without supervision in built-up areas. The owner or keeper of a cat must ensure their cat has no access to places specifically mentioned in the Public Order Act, such as public beaches, children’s playgrounds or sports fields.
Summer chickens and roosters
If you intend to keep summer chickens in Espoo, Kirkkonummi or Kauniainen, you must submit a notification to Länsi-Uudenmaan maaseutuhallinto. We do not recommend keeping roosters in urban areas where residential buildings are close to each other. The reason for this is the noise nuisance caused by their crowing. To prevent avian influenza, poultry must be kept indoors during birds’ spring migration from 8 February to 31 May.
- Checklist for people keeping chickens for the summer or as a hobby (Finnish Food Authority)(external link, opens in a new window)
- Animal-keeping permits and forms (in Finnish, Länsi-Uudenmaan maaseutuhallinto)(external link, opens in a new window)
- Protect your poultry from avian influenza (in Finnish, Finnish Food Authority)(external link, opens in a new window)
Wild animals
What should I do if I find a dead or sick wild animal? Can I feed birds? Can I remove a wasp nest from my yard?
Indoor and outdoor pests
Customer Service of the Urban Environment
+358 9 81625100Give feedback: Link to survey(external link, opens in a new window)