The state's regional government will be reformed at the turn of the year 2025‒2026. Regional State Administrative Agenciestasks related to animals and food will be transferred to the Finnish Food Authority. In connection with the change, the site may have flaws in the first few days of January.

Wildlife hospitals

A notification must be submitted on the care of wild animals. This will enable the authorities to better monitor the quality of care and ensure that the care of animals is in good hands.

What do I do if I have a wildlife hospital?

If you have a wildlife hospital, you must submit a notification of the facility. You can submit the notification 

  • directly to the register of animal keepers 
  • with the online form
  • with a free-form written notification. 

EUR 87 is charged for the processing of the notification. We charge a fee of 61 euros for the processing of notifications of major changes in the wildlife hospital activities.

You can find the necessary links at the bottom of this page.

If you will start your operations, submit the notification no later than 30 days before your operations begin.

What information should I include in the notification?

Include in your notification:

  • your name
  • the name and contact information of the hospital
  • a statement on the competence of the keeper(s) of the animals;
  • an account of your activities and their scope:
  • the species and numbers of animals concerned;
  • an account of the conditions in which the animals are housed;
  • a statement of how the care of the animals is to be arranged.

If your wildlife hospital activities change or end, submit a written notification also in that case. 

How should I submit the notification if not directly to the register?

Send the notification to the Finnish Food Authority.

kirjaamo@ruokavirasto.fi

Please note

Animals may not be kept permanently in a wildlife hospital.

A wild animal taken to a wildlife hospital must be released back into the wild when the animal is fit enough. 

Services

Register of Animal Keepers and Establishments 

E-service formsLink to an external website

Notification of operations subject to notification under the Animal Welfare Act 

Termination of operations subject to notification under the Animal Welfare Act

Follow-up to notifications submitted using e-services forms:

Responding to a request for additional information or responding to other contact from the Finnish Food Authority (It is not possible to use this form to initiate new official matters.)

Links to legal texts

Animal Welfare Act (693/2023), section 29

More information

 

 

Page last updated 1/1/2026