Stray animals and animal welfare

The City of Hämeenlinna is responsible for arranging temporary care for stray animals. In practice, the care work is carried out by the contract partners of the city. Municipal veterinarians handle animal welfare duties in Hämeenlinna and Hattula.

You can contact the stray animal facility directly when you:

• are looking for your missing pet
• have found a stray animal
• wish to offer a home to a stray animal

Cats:

Hämeenlinnan Kissojen Ystävät ry
Kissakoti Kattila
Puusepänkatu 5, Hämeenlinna
Telephone 050 432 2179
Email kissakotikattila@gmail.com

Dogs and other small animals:

Pieneläinhotelli Sinna
Päiväniementie 5, Akaa
Telephone 040 861 7482

What is a stray animal

A stray animal is an animal that has:

• escaped from its owner
• been found on the loose
• been taken into care

Stray animals include, for example, cats, dogs and other small pets.

The city arranges care for stray animals in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act (Act on Animal Welfare 693/2023, Section 26).

Statistics

• In 2025, there were 36 stray animals, of which 27 were cats and 9 were dogs.
• In 2024, 49 stray animals were taken into care in Hämeenlinna: 35 cats, 13 dogs, 1 other small animal.
• In 2023, there were 66 stray animals: 52 cats, 12 dogs, 2 other small animals.

Animal welfare

The Animal Welfare Act applies to all animals. Its purpose is to ensure that animals are treated well and that they are not subjected to unnecessary suffering.

In Hämeenlinna and Hattula, animal welfare duties are handled by municipal veterinarians. Acute situations requiring urgent action can be handled by any of the municipal veterinarians. The police are also an animal welfare authority and can handle urgent animal welfare cases.

What to do if you suspect animal mistreatment:

• contact a municipal veterinarian, in an urgent situation call the veterinarians’ emergency service
• The police are also an animal welfare authority and can handle urgent animal welfare cases.

Further information on animal welfare