Autetaan eläimiä ry

Autetaan eläimiä ry is a non-profit association based in Lahti, Finland working on animal welfare.

Autetaan eläimiä ry is a Finnish animal welfare association based in Lahti. It rescues stray, abandoned and mistreated dogs, and some cats, from shelters and streets in Hungary, Spain and Romania, working with partner shelters and rescue groups in those countries. The animals are placed in adoptive homes in Finland, and many are first cared for by volunteer foster carers (kotihoitajat) while they settle in. Before travelling, animals receive veterinary examinations, laboratory testing, sterilisation or castration, microchipping, deworming and vaccinations, and the association imports them under Finnish Food Safety Authority (Evira) rules. The association also publishes information on animal diseases such as rabies, leishmaniasis, heartworm, tick-borne illnesses and echinococcosis, and on animal welfare and dog-keeping legislation. Its work is carried out entirely by volunteers, and adoption fees (kulukorvaus) are stated to cover the costs of importing and preparing each animal. The association is funded through donations, supporting membership (kannatusjäsenet) and fundraising such as flea markets and auctions. It is a registered association with a fundraising permit.