Dogs are an integral part of many people’s lives and offer opportunities for outdoor activities and hobbies.
“Local municipal services and dog-friendliness have a significant impact on the everyday lives of dog owners and dog enthusiasts. Good services facilitate activities such as walking the dog, dog-related hobbies and promote the well-being of dogs. Dog enthusiasts can enrich municipalities by organizing events and activities that attract people from all over Finland and bring well-being to everyone.” Not to mention that dogs accompany Finns more than two million times a day and are beloved family members,” emphasized. Esa KukkonenThe chairman of the board of the Finnish Kennel Club.
In the “Finland’s most dog-friendly municipality” competition, the dog-friendliness of the municipalities was evaluated from three perspectives: the quality of the municipalities’ dog services, the municipality’s general dog-friendliness, and how dogs and dog enthusiasts are taken into account in decision-making. The municipalities answered a total of 14 questions using an electronic form, on the basis of which the competition jury chose the winners.
Mäntsälä: A paradise for dog lovers
Named the most dog-friendly municipality in Finland, Mäntsälä has shown exceptional dog-friendliness and support for dog owners in various aspects of everyday life. The municipality actively cooperates with dog enthusiasts and has attracted versatile companies that serve an even wider group of dog owners.
Mäntsälä offers spaces for dog lovers by offering versatile outdoor opportunities such as jogging paths, a dog forest, swimming areas, a dog play area and a dog sled trail. The municipality has strategically placed garbage containers along these routes and organizes dog waste bags to help dog owners. Currently, the municipality is planning to build two training and practice halls.
There is a significant concentration of dog-related services in Mäntsälä, including a veterinary clinic operating under the auspices of the University of Helsinki, which offers clinic services during the day. In addition, two private veterinary clinics operate in the municipality, which offer almost all veterinary services. The municipality has a pet shop and three training service providers. There are two grooming companies operating in the area, as well as several dog massages and dog care services, one of which is run by students of Keuda Vocational College. The municipality also operates a home inspection service for dogs. All dog-related services are conveniently gathered on the municipality’s website at www.mantsala.fi/koirankanssa.
Mäntsälä has an active dog hobby club as well as kennel and hunting clubs, where everyone has good opportunities for activities. The municipality has numerous dog forests, training grounds and indoor arenas for various dog-related activities.
“The municipality of Mäntsälä is genuinely happy and proud of this wonderful recognition received in the Kennel Association’s competition. Our goal is to offer our residents the best everyday life, and in Mäntsälä it is important to us that the everyday life of furry family members runs smoothly and comfortably. Our basic dog services work well, and in addition, Mäntsälä offers an excellent selection of services and great opportunities for various dog-related activities, both leisure and more competitive dog sports,” said Hannu LaurilaMayor of Mäntsälä.
Honorable mentions: Kannus and Pello
A total of 18 applications were received for the Dog-Friendliest Municipality in Finland competition, including both growing cities and small rural municipalities. The jury was faced with a challenging decision due to the high-quality applications. In addition to the winner, two municipalities received an honorable mention.
Kannus of the municipalities that received an honorable mention has made dog-friendliness a significant attraction for a small rural village. The dog industry is booming, and the municipality offers various training services. There are also dog-related businesses in the city, and dogs thrive in versatile outdoor activities. The municipality is currently building a 1.4-hectare dog park, which is one of the largest in Finland.
Another honorable mention, Pello, is a small, active community that has emphasized the importance of dogs as exercise partners and people’s best friends. Dogs have the opportunity to enjoy versatile outdoor activities, including extensive cross-country skiing tracks in winter. The municipality regularly organizes dog waste bins along the footpaths and offers dog waste bags. An active dog hobby club works closely with the municipality. The municipality’s common hall has dog activities and is available to dog enthusiasts at an affordable price. The municipality’s basic education uses the hall as an exercise space during exercise classes, and the municipality regularly makes a lease agreement with the kennel club in the area.
The Finnish Kennel Club’s “Finland’s most dog-friendly municipality” competition is part of the Dog as a Citizen theme year, during which the Kennel Club emphasizes the importance of dogs in society and strives to improve their status.
The competition jury included Jussi LiimatainenBoard member of the Finnish Kennel Club and leader of the Dog as Citizen theme year, entrepreneur Marko Björsurban planner Sara Ikävalkoand Helena SuniHonorary Chairman of the Finnish Kennel Club.
HT
Source: The Nordic Page