Food for your pet

Animal welfare associations

Many local animal welfare associations give food aid for the pets of people on low incomes. For example, the Salo region association gives food aid all year round, and the Joensuu association distributes food across the whole of North Karelia. You can find the association in your area in SEY's list of member associations.

Vähävaraisten lemmikkiapu ry

Vähävaraisten lemmikkiapu ry gives food for shorter or longer needs throughout Finland, and special diets where possible. Applying for help is free and confidential.

Pet food queues

Pet food queues (lemmikkien leipäjono) are one-off food distributions for cat and dog owners. They have been organised by, for example, the Tampere parishes, Rekku Rescue ry in Helsinki and organisers in Jyväskylä. The events are not regular, so follow local news and the associations' social media channels.

Food aid distribution points

Also ask at your own food aid distribution point. Pet food sometimes comes in as a donation, and you may get it on the same visit. You can find the nearest distribution points with the food aid search.

Vet costs

A few associations and clinics help with vet costs. They usually pay for the treatment directly to the clinic and do not give money to the owner. They do not usually cover bills you have already paid, so apply for help before the treatment.

If you have no money right now

• Ask for the price in advance — prices vary a lot between clinics
• Find out whether your municipality has a municipal vet. It is usually cheaper than a private clinic, but not every municipality has one
• Ask the clinic about extra time to pay or paying in instalments
• If your pet needs treatment right away, contact the on-call vet and do not wait for a decision on financial help

Does social assistance cover pet costs?

As a rule, no. Pet food and vet costs are not usually taken into account in Kela's basic social assistance.

You can apply for supplementary social assistance from your wellbeing services county for special expenses, but it is rarely granted for pet costs. Applying costs nothing, so if your situation is difficult, apply and explain why the expense is necessary.

Planning ahead

• Take out pet insurance while your pet is still healthy. Insurance does not usually cover illnesses that have already been diagnosed
• Put aside a small amount for your pet's care, even a little at a time
• Find out in advance where the nearest municipal vet and on-call service are

When nothing is enough

If you can no longer look after your pet, contact your local animal welfare association in good time, before the situation becomes urgent. The association can help find the animal a new home. Abandoning an animal is prohibited.

If the animal is ill and there is no money for treatment, the last option is euthanasia. In Southwest Finland, Tassuturva always arranges help with euthanasia when it is justified on veterinary grounds and money is what stands in the way.

If you are not sure what to do, ask SEY's animal welfare advisers (sey.fi/elainsuojeluneuvojat) or SEY's animal welfare chat (sey.fi). The services are in Finnish.