Animal welfare organization Suomen eläinsuojelu (SEY) has shared positive news regarding the estimated numbers of abandoned pet cats in Finland. According to recent data, there has been a notable decrease in the number of cats left to fend for themselves, with approximately 4,000 cats being taken into municipal shelters in the year 2024. This figure shows improvement compared to previous years, specifically 2018 and 2008, where the counts were considerably higher, highlighting a positive trend in animal welfare in the country.

Despite the encouraging statistics, there remain uncertainties attributed to different methods of reporting and monitoring these figures. The recent legislation on animal welfare, which came into effect in 2024, mandates municipalities to keep annual statistics on the animals taken into their custody. However, this new requirement lacks a clear framework for national data collection, potentially limiting comprehensive oversight and accountability within the municipalities, as noted by SEY, especially regarding stray cats and other non-domesticated felines.

Maria Eiskop, the Communications Manager of SEY, emphasizes that their figures only reflect the officially recorded stray cats received at municipal shelters, primarily those that are either escaped or abandoned pets. This careful monitoring is crucial in understanding the state of pet abandonment in Finland, yet it doesn't encompass feral cat populations or other felines that do not fall under the category of domesticated pets, which may still be an area of concern for animal welfare advocates moving forward.