Responsible and Sustainable Tourism & Santa’s Pets

Being responsible and sustainable is very important to Santa’s Pets. Our practices reflect a commitment to ensure animal welfare, environmental protection, and respect for the local community while providing visitors with an educational and enjoyable experience. Learn more about our policies and actions in this field, as well as our Sustainable Travel Finland and Good Travel Seal certifications.

Our company’s values include honesty, responsibility, and respectful conduct. Responsible business practices are a given. We have taken sustainable development into account, and it is important to us. We are a local company and prefer local resources whenever possible. We recycle waste properly, take care of the environment, and do not harm it. We treat customers, partners, and colleagues with respect and courtesy. We have calculated our carbon footprint, and it is below average, which is satisfying.

ANIMALS FIRST

The welfare of animals in our work is of primary importance. Our operations are determined by the Animal Welfare Act. The law determines, for example, how animals must at least be cared for, and it also determines the minimum requirements for the size of animal fences and stables, as well as the size of the herd. The stables are built of logs and the animals have heaters in the stables, so they can get warm if want. We take care the animals according to the species. The animals get healthy and suitable food. Store surplus vegetables is also tasty for almost all animals.

Accessibility Information

Arrival
Santa’s Pets is located in Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Finland.
Address:
Pukinpolku 12
96930 Arctic Circle
Finland
The site can be reached by following a pedestrian pathway from Joulumaantie Road, where a large sign directs visitors to Santa’s Pets.
Free accessible parking spaces are available nearby.

Entrance
The pedestrian pathway leading to Santa’s Pets includes a hill. Wheelchair users may require assistance when accessing the site.
The entrance is equipped with a ramp with a 6% gradient.
There is a threshold approximately 1 cm high at the entrance and when entering the outdoor area.
The entrance doors have a clear width of 90 cm. Staff are happy to assist with opening and closing doors if needed.
Visitors leave the premises via the same route.

During Your Visit
Our staff are trained to welcome and assist visitors with a variety of accessibility needs.
Please note that the space between the shelves inside the building is limited and may not allow comfortable wheelchair access throughout all areas.
The outdoor area features compacted gravel pathways. These pathways are generally accessible, although snow and winter conditions may occasionally make movement more challenging. Pathways are regularly cleared of snow.
Guide dogs and assistance dogs are welcome throughout the site.
Personal assistants accompanying visitors who require support are admitted free of charge.
An on-site toilet is available and can be accessed by wheelchair users.
The toilet is equipped with a grab rail on one side of the seat. However, the facility is not fully accessible, as there is limited transfer space on the opposite side of the toilet.

SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL FINLAND – National Mark for Responsible Tourism

Visit Finland has developed the Sustainable Travel Finland program and label for tourism companies, which Santa’s Pets received in the summer of 2024. The Sustainable Travel Finland (STF) program provides companies with a toolkit for developing sustainable tourism, making it easier to systematically adopt sustainable measures and choices in daily operations. Companies that go through the program and meet the criteria are awarded the Sustainable Travel Finland label, signaling sustainable practices to international travelers. Companies that receive the Sustainable Travel Finland label gain access to a continuous development model and the latest information related to sustainable tourism.

GOOD TRAVEL SEAL

The Good Travel Seal (GTS) is a method for assessing sustainability and responsibility. The Good Travel Seal is awarded to companies committed to promoting ecological, social, cultural, and economic responsible tourism and that meet the certification criteria. We earned this seal in the spring of 2024.

LOCALITY IS PART OF OUR EVERYDAY LIFE
We entrepreneurs are from Rovaniemi, have sometimes lived elsewhere and returned. We know how to appreciate local nature, culture and traditions. Here’s some information about what else we do besides hosting customers to meet animals. We value intangible experiences and organize them.