The number of dogs taken into care by Finnish animal welfare organisations has doubled over the past two to three years, according to Animal Welfare Finland (SEY).
Around 700 dogs entered SEY member organisations' care last year.
About half the dogs were seized by authorities or taken into care through member associations, while the rest were surrendered by owners who could no longer care for them because of changes in their personal or financial circumstances.
SEY communications expert Pi Mäkilä said the true number is likely to be higher, as the organisation's 40 member associations do not cover every part of Finland and there is no national register of rescued animals.
Dozens of neglected poodles rescued
One recent case highlights the growing demand on shelters.
At the end of June, authorities removed 33 poodles from a property in the Lahti area after concerns about their welfare. Twenty of the dogs were taken in by the Päijät-Häme Animal Welfare Association, with the remainder placed elsewhere.
"Some of the dogs couldn't really stand up because their fur was so incredibly heavy. It was difficult to check the gender of some of them because their bottoms were so matted. Dry bits of poop were dripping from their fur. It was a really sad and scary sight," said dog shelter manager Sini Salmenniemi-Kuparinen.
The Päijät-Häme shelter has already taken in 71 dogs this year and says it has dealt with several unusually large rescue cases.
Larger dogs wait longest for homes
While small dogs are usually adopted quickly, larger breeds and dogs with behavioural problems or traumatic backgrounds often wait much longer.
One such dog is Fiinu, who has spent three months waiting for a permanent home at the Päijät-Häme Animal Welfare Association.
According to Mäkilä, the increase in dogs needing care may partly reflect stricter oversight by authorities following the introduction of Finland's new Animal Welfare Act in 2024 and changes to the country's animal welfare inspection system earlier this year.
She said many animals are surrendered because of owners' financial difficulties, substance abuse or other social problems.
Mäkilä also pointed to illegal puppy breeding and animal hoarding as continuing causes of large-scale rescue cases.
"Because of hoarding, humans suddenly have a lot of animals. Even though they may not have been originally intended to produce puppies, they may start to reproduce uncontrollably."
