Public Order Act / 2003

Finland’s Public Order Act is quite clear, but its provisions—especially regarding cats—are often misinterpreted and applied incorrectly. This applies to the views of authorities, the media, neighbors, and even pet owners themselves concerning where cats are allowed to roam and when an owner is acting against the law.

The regulations regarding cats are set out in Section 14 of the Act, which is titled "Control of dogs." However, the final paragraph of the section explicitly states that cats are governed only by point 2 of subsection 1, which reads as follows: "The owner or keeper of a cat must ensure that the cat does not gain access to:

1. a public beach

2. an area reserved as a children's playground

3. a market square during market hours

4. a fitness trail or similar path unless on a leash

5. a ski track or sports field, unless explicitly permitted.

According to the law, a cat is therefore allowed to roam in a neighbor's yard, and under the Public Order Act, a cat DOES have the right to move freely throughout the country, with the exception of the places listed above. In other words, a cat DOES NOT need to be kept on a leash, even in built-up areas.