language: english

One of the dogs who didn’t enjoy the old free run before is super happy about the new one. The old one was a small one between the kennel rows, with all the dogs being super close to each other. Now in the new one, which is set up in a U shape, there is more space between the kennels and the free run, and he really likes it. It’s nice to see how some dogs change because of a better and calmer free run area.

14.07.2025, Company 2, new dog yard

This is one of my diary entries I wrote down as data for my master’s thesis. I work with sled dogs since October 2020, the reason why I decided to do my thesis about animal welfare and wellbeing of sled dogs based on my experiences and knowledge. During my studies, I worked at two different tourism husky farms, one during wintertime and at the second one during summertime. At both places, I wrote down observations and informal conversations I had with colleagues with the focus on aspects and factors impacting the dogs’ welfare and wellbeing. In total, I wrote down 149 diary entries of my workdays.

‘So, to me it was incredible [to meet the sled dogs]. I mean, it was incredible to be able to spend time with them and stuff. But in the back of my mind, I feel a bit, you know, sad for some of them that had to pull the sled and stuff, but maybe they liked it, I don’t know.’ (Interviewee 4)

This quote is from my master’s thesis where I studied tourists’ ethical views on sled dog safaris. I had a great opportunity to research sled dog safaris as a commission for the PAWWS project. The research data consisted of six interviews with international tourists who visited sled dog kennels in Finnish Lapland. I conducted the research via video calls in spring 2025 and I focused on four larger safari operators. In this overview, I present the findings of my research.