Helsinki Humane Society HESY (The Helsinki Society for Animal Protection) assumes responsibility for the temporary care of rescue animals from Helsinki, Vantaa, Espoo, Kauniainen and Kirkkonummi as of 1 October 2020. Animal shelter operations continue to be provided at the same location in Viikki, Helsinki as before, but the service provider and the contact information change.
The new contact information of the animal shelter as of 1 October 2020 is as follows: telephone number +358 40 198 0778, email address viikki@hesy.fi(Link opens default mail program) and mailing address Koetilantie 13, 00790 Helsinki.
The City of Helsinki Urban Environment Committee’s Environment and Permits Sub-committee approved the bid from Helsinki Humane Society HESY for the provision of animal shelter operations at the committee meeting of 4 June 2020. The term of the agreement on the provision of animal shelter operations is three years, and the agreement includes an option for a two-year extension. Animal shelter operations were previously organized by Kiantime’s Oy.
The Viikki animal shelter also provides temporary care for rescue animals taken into custody under the authority of the Animal Welfare Act.
The Animal Welfare Act provides that municipalities organize care of loose, rescued pet animals for 15 days. If the owner of a rescued pet animal cannot be located in 15 days, the Animal Welfare Act provides that the animal can be relocated in a new home or euthanized. The primary option is further care and relocation. HESY is responsible for further care and relocation of animals after the end of the legally mandated 15-day period.
Photo: Matti Miinalainen