Husky safari tourism in Lapland, Finland: Severe animal welfare concerns

Dogs used for sled tours and husky rides

The dogs traditionally used for sled tours belong to a group known as sled dogs, bred for strength, endurance, and the ability to work in cold, snowy conditions. Common examples include Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Huskies (a mixed-breed sled dog type), Alaskan Malamutes, Canadian Eskimo Dogs, Greenland Dogs, and Samoyeds, all of which have thick double coats and a natural drive to pull sleds over long distances. These breeds have been developed over centuries by Arctic and northern peoples specifically for sled pulling and winter travel.

Rapid growth of husky tourism in Finnish Lapland sparks animal welfare crisis

Finnish Lapland attracts millions of visitors each year, particularly during the winter season when tourists come for snow activities, the Northern Lights, and Arctic adventures. Among these experiences, husky safaris have become one of the most popular activities, and the demand for sled dog tours is booming. The rapid growth in tourism has contributed to severe animal welfare problems.
 
The SEY Animal Welfare Finland report from October 2025 revealed a hidden crisis in the husky safari industry in Finnish Lapland. Authorities are aware of many of these issues but lack the resources to fully monitor or enforce improvement.

Rapid expansion of dog kennels and lack of effective oversight

As demand for husky safaris has soared, some businesses have expanded suddenly from small operations to holding several hundreds of dogs. In many cases, there is no accurate record of how many animals are actually present on a farm, and authorities cannot track their origins or numbers. This lack of oversight makes it difficult to ensure proper care or even basic compliance with registration requirements.

Puppy farming and neglect of young sled dogs

Accidental litters and unmanaged breeding are widespread where there isn’t enough skilled staff to care for dogs properly. Puppies are sometimes born in poor conditions and held in cages without deworming, vaccinations, or veterinary attention. In severe cases, puppies die due to neglect, and unwanted dogs may be treated as disposable rather than given appropriate care. Dead dogs can be hidden anywhere, for instance in garbage and in the ground.

Illegal sled dog imports and inadequate health and vaccination controls

Some operators import dogs from abroad without fulfilling legal requirements. These dogs may arrive without proper documentation, vaccinations, or health checks and may be transported long distances, for instance from Southern Europe, in overcrowded vehicles without adequate rest. Reports indicate that some dogs have died shortly after arrival, due to serious failures in transport and health management.

Delayed or avoided veterinary care in husky safari operations

Veterinary treatment is often delayed or avoided unless injuries are severe or the dog is considered economically valuable. Dogs suffering from dental problems, infections, cuts, broken bones, frostbite, eye injuries, skin lesions, joint problems, or other wounds may be left untreated due to cost concerns. Chronic conditions such as arthritis, malnutrition, or untreated parasites are also common, as ongoing care is often neglected.

Inadequate housing, tethering and unsafe conditions for sled dogs

Shelters may be too small, poorly insulated, or lack sufficient bedding. Dogs with thin coats, despite being poorly suited to sled work, may continually be kept outdoors in extreme winter temperatures, exposing them to cold, stress and illness. Dogs can also be tethered with chains that are too short. Too little supervision and overcrowding can spark frequent dog fights, leaving the dogs with serious injuries. Structural problems such as broken fences and unsafe enclosures have also been reported.

Underfed sled dogs and reliance on snow as a water source

There have been reports of emaciated-looking dogs that are kept hungry. During the summer, dogs may be kept extremely thin because it is believed that they do not need much food at that time. Under the current Finnish law, when the ground is frozen, sled dogs are not required to have constant access to drinking water, and eating snow is considered sufficient.
 
In some cases, operators have resorted to various means to obtain food for the dogs. In 2022, 36,000 kilograms of illegal whale meat were imported into Finland from Norway to be fed to sled dogs.

Unwanted, injured and aging sled dogs killed or neglected

Elderly, injured, or no-longer-productive dogs may be left in poor physical condition, receive little or no veterinary care, and are sometimes forced to work despite clear health risks. Unwanted dogs include those that are too sensitive, or simply unwilling to run. These dogs are often euthanised, sometimes without veterinary supervision.

Subcontractors and hidden animal welfare violations in husky tourism

Many large husky safari operators rely on subcontractors to supply dogs and run tours. These smaller operators often work separately from the main company, so many dogs are never properly registered or inspected, leaving their conditions hidden from authorities. Dogs may be kept in trailers far from dwellings, without adequate shelter, exercise, or veterinary care. Some operators with a history of welfare problems have simply moved to other regions or countries, continuing with the same dogs under new management, making enforcement and accountability difficult.

Lack of skilled staff and inadequate care in sled dog kennels

Skilled, knowledgeable caretakers are essential for the dogs’ health and wellbeing. However, many operations lack trained staff with sufficient knowledge of canine welfare. As a result, daily care is often poor, health monitoring inadequate, and dogs may be handled improperly during work and training. This absence of skilled oversight increases both physical and psychological stress and contributes to ongoing welfare problems.

Untrained dogs forced to pull sleds in husky safaris

Some huskies in Lapland are not properly trained for sledding, yet they are still made to work in teams. When inexperienced or weak dogs are dragged along in fear by stronger teammates, they can suffer severe injuries, including joint damage, muscle strains, or exhaustion. At times, dogs are forced to run excessively, with insufficient rest between runs.

Minimal exercise and welfare risk during the off-season

The sled dog season lasts only a few months. During the summer months, many dogs receive very little exercise or attention, even though they are active dogs and used to running long distances. Limited care, small enclosures, and lack of proper stimulation during this off-season can lead to boredom, stress, and physical decline.

Expert views: Many sled dogs in Lapland are unsuitable for the work

Reijo Jääskeläinen, an experienced sled dog trainer and musher, has worked with huskies in Lapland for decades. According to him, a large part of the sled dogs used in tourist operations come from accidental litters, and only a few are genuine Arctic sled dogs bred for long-distance pulling. Many tour operators have acquired dogs for sledding without proper knowledge of canine behaviour, leaving animals that are unsuited for the work to be forced into demanding sledding tasks.

How to choose responsible, animal-friendly husky safari providers

When booking activities, ask the hotel or tour operator clear questions about how the dogs are cared for, such as how often the dogs rest, where they live, whether they are registered and vaccinated, and if the company holds an independent ethical or “Green activities” certificate that includes animal welfare criteria. Choosing operators with recognised certifications or good reviews can help ensure the dogs are treated responsibly.

What tourists can do about animal welfare issues in husky safaris

If you witness or suspect animal welfare issues during a husky safari in Lapland, you can and should report your concerns to the authorities. In Finland anyone can file an animal welfare notification to the local supervising veterinarian. Search online for “valvontaeläinlääkäri” together with the name of the town or region to find contact details. In urgent cases, you can call the emergency phone number 112, or the police.
 
For advice on reporting concerns and what qualifies as mistreatment, you can also contact animal welfare organisations such as SEY Animal Welfare Finland which offers guidance on when and how to report suspected abuse.

Animal welfare issues in husky tourism beyond Finland

Animal welfare concerns related to husky tourism are not limited to Finland. In countries such as Canada, Sweden, and Norway, animal protection organisations have raised similar issues, including overcrowding, constant tethering, lack of retirement plans for working dogs, and insufficient regulation of sled dog businesses.

Animal welfare concerns in competitive sled dog racing

Dogs are also used in competitive sledding events such as the Iditarod trail sled dog race, a long‑distance competition in Alaska. The race forces dogs to run roughly 1,000 miles (about 1,600 km) under extreme conditions, and over 150 dogs have reportedly died. During races and training, dogs have suffered injuries, exhaustion, illness, and even death, with many pulled off the trail due to injury or severe fatigue; some are pushed to continue despite lameness, stiffness, or other health problems. Dogs may endure harsh kennel conditions with poor veterinary care and neglect off the trail.

The hidden pain behind your dog sled ride
By Peta

This man's last wish was to shut down the Iditarod dog race
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More information:

https://elaintenystava.fi/2025/10/29/consequential-canine-crisis-brewing-in-lapland/
https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/husky-sledding-lapland-finland/
https://www.peta.org.uk/blog/dog-sledding/