Pictures (from left to right): A crowded Villa Kivi listens to poet Eeva Kilpi, the President of HESY Hannele Luukkainen hugging Myrsky, delicious pastries, mysterious Suleima, this year HESY gave Topelius-prize to Etsijäkoiraliitto (a Search Dog Organisation), the President of Etsijäkoiraliitto Timo Lillbacka with his search dog Eppu.

Last year Helsinki Humane Society (HESY) celebrated World Animal Day for its 100th time. To celebrate the day HESY organised lots of events. On Saturday 3rd of October HESY held a fundraising event at Jumbo Shopping centre, where we collected money and items for animals (food, bedding, toys etc.). Myrsky, a Caucasian Shepherd, star of a Finnish film, also visited Jumbo. In 2008 Myrsky and screenwriter Marko Rauhala got HESY’s Topelius-prize, which is given to a person or a society that contributes significantly to animal protection. On Saturday 3rd of October there was also a second-hand book sale in Helsinki City-Center.

On Sunday 4th of October HESY organised an event at the Center for Animal Protection (animal shelter) and sold coffee, pastries and accessories for pets and humans. There was also fortune teller Suleima there. On Monday 5th of October HESY organised an event called a Night of Poetry in Villa Kivi, which is a villa where writers can relax, get inspired and concentrate on writing. The poetry event was a success: nearly 50 persons gathered to listen to beautiful rhymes of famous Finnish poets: Eeva Kilpi, Satu Manninen and Jenni Haukio.

In 2009 we also celebrated our 135th Anniversary. To celebrate the Anniversary we held a photographic exhibition on history of animal protection and gave Topelius-prize this year to Etsijäkoiraliitto, a Search Dog Organisation. The society’s founding meeting was held on November 25th, 1874 by writer Zacharias Topelius and several other significant persons of that time. The aim of the society is to protect all animals according to the available resources. Although the most important activity is to collect homeless animals, the society also consults in questions regarding animal protection and animal keeping. During the past 20 years HESY has taken care of approx. 20.000 homeless animals and found new homes for them.  Yearly we save up to 500 abandoned animals – mainly cats, but also dogs, rabbits, mice, rats, guinea pigs, hamsters, chinchillas, birds, turtles and tortoises – and we provide them with a new better life. Erja Veivo, HESY. Image: A crowded Villa Kivi listens to poet Eeva Kilpi.