Finland's pet care industry faces scrutiny as a mobile pet dental service operating from a van has become the subject of two animal welfare crime investigations. Documents reveal that entrepreneur Tarja Malmström, who operates under the business name 'Sinun lemmikkisi' (Your Pet), is suspected of performing procedures, including dental scaling, without the required veterinary qualifications or the ability to administer anesthesia. The case highlights a regulatory grey zone in animal care services and has sparked warnings from official veterinary authorities.
Malmström promotes her services on social media as 'dental scaling without sedation' and conducts treatments in a van. On her company website, she describes herself as a 'cat and dog oral hygienist.' However, the Finnish Food Authority (Ruokavirasto) states that this title is not a protected professional designation in Finland and carries no formal criteria or qualifications. Crucially, the authority mandates that dental scaling must be performed on an anesthetized animal, a procedure only licensed veterinarians are legally permitted to administer.
A Mobile Practice Draws Official Warnings
The operation came to public attention after a veterinary clinic issued a social media warning to pet owners. The clinic alerted customers about an individual offering 'tartar removal' from a van without proper veterinary training or the means to sedate animals. While Malmström acknowledges the warning likely references her business, she denies to reporters that it pertains to a specific dog she treated. She argues that her methods are safe and that she operates within her rights as a non-veterinary practitioner.
This is not the first legal challenge for Malmström. A separate animal welfare crime charge was filed against her in October. While details of that specific accusation remain confidential in ongoing proceedings, it underscores persistent concerns about her practices. The case was scheduled for a hearing at the Pirkanmaa District Court in December but was postponed at the request of the involved party seeking further clarifications. A new court date has not been set.
Entrepreneur Denies Allegations and Claims Conspiracy
In written correspondence with media, Malmström firmly denies any wrongdoing. She declares herself innocent of the animal welfare charges. She characterizes the allegations as part of a 'smear campaign' linked to a former accounting firm, which she accuses of embezzling funds from her company. 'The matter in question has expired, and no legally binding judgment has been given,' Malmström wrote, suggesting the issues are part of a broader, resolved conflict with former associates. Due to what she describes as hearing problems, she was unavailable for a telephone interview.
Malmström is also known in public circles as the former fiancée of musician Pertti 'Nipa' Neumann. This connection has brought additional media attention to the case, though it is unrelated to the professional allegations. Her defense rests on the argument that she provides a cosmetic cleaning service, not a medical procedure requiring anesthesia, a distinction Finnish authorities explicitly reject.
Regulatory Gaps in Finland's Pet Care Industry
The case exposes significant gaps in the regulation of auxiliary pet care services in Finland. While veterinary medicine is strictly controlled, titles like 'animal oral hygienist' exist in an unregulated space. This can create confusion for pet owners seeking affordable care, who may not understand the legal and medical distinctions between a veterinary procedure and a non-medical cleaning service. The Finnish Food Authority's stance is unambiguous: any procedure involving the removal of dental calculus (tartar) from below the gumline is a veterinary act requiring anesthesia to prevent animal pain and stress.
'Performing dental scaling on a conscious animal is not only potentially painful but can also miss sub-gingival plaque, providing a false sense of security about the pet's oral health,' explains a Helsinki-based veterinarian who wished to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the ongoing case. 'Proper assessment and treatment require sedation. Operating outside these standards risks animal welfare and compromises care.'
Without a protected title, anyone can theoretically offer 'pet dental hygiene' services, leaving enforcement to reactive measures like animal welfare crime reports after potential harm occurs. This places the burden of vigilance on competing clinics, concerned professionals, and ultimately, pet owners themselves.
The Broader Implications for Pet Owners and Policy
For Finnish pet owners, the incident serves as a critical warning. The allure of cheaper, mobile services can be strong, especially for routine care like dental cleaning. However, authorities and veterinary associations stress the importance of verifying credentials. A legitimate procedure performed by a veterinarian, while more costly, includes pre-anesthetic health checks, safe sedation, pain management, and the ability to handle emergencies—none of which are possible in a van-based practice without a licensed vet present.
The case may prompt calls for legislative review. Stakeholders in the animal care sector have previously discussed the potential for creating a regulated tier of paraprofessional roles, similar to dental hygienists in human medicine, but with clearly defined limits and required supervision. Currently, the law draws a bright line: if a procedure is defined as veterinary medicine, only a veterinarian may perform it.
As the court process unfolds slowly, the immediate impact is one of heightened awareness. Veterinary clinics across Finland are likely to reiterate their warnings, and social media platforms may face increased scrutiny over the promotion of unregulated animal services. The image of a van offering cut-price dental work has become a potent symbol of the risks lurking in regulatory shadows.
Will this case lead to tighter controls on pet care advertising and service definitions, or will it remain a cautionary tale for individual owners to navigate? The answer depends on both the legal outcome for Tarja Malmström and the pressure applied to Finnish lawmakers to clarify a market that continues to grow alongside the nation's love for its pets.