In recent years, the commitment to dog ownership in Finland has weakened significantly, as reported by various animal welfare organizations. These groups have experienced a notable influx of inquiries from dog owners who wish to give up their pets for a variety of reasons. Interviews with representatives from animal welfare associations in regions such as Central Finland, South Savo, Southwest Finland, and Uusimaa have revealed a disturbing trend of diminished responsibility among pet owners, especially post-COVID-19.

Minna Monto, a representative from the national Rekku Rescue organization, highlights that the challenges associated with pet ownership have prompted many to abandon their dogs instead of addressing the issues. Factors leading to the surrender of dogs include unexpected obstacles, veterinary costs, or behavioral problems that owners are reluctant to tackle. There is a concerning ease with which dogs are both adopted and given away, with reasons ranging from lack of time to financial constraints, illustrating a lack of long-term commitment to pet ownership.

This rise in pets being surrendered raises alarms among animal welfare advocates, who fear it marks the beginning of a broader issue they describe as a 'dog crisis'. The statistics and personal anecdotes shared by these organizations underscore the urgent need for increased education on responsible pet ownership and support systems for both pet owners and the pets themselves, before the issue escalates further in Finnish society.