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Every year on October 4th, World Animal Day is celebrated globally. This day is dedicated to raising public awareness about animal welfare and promoting the well-being of all species, whether they are pets or wildlife. It provides an opportunity to reflect on our relationship with animals and how we can better protect them. For families, it’s also a chance to educate the younger generations about the importance of caring for animals and respecting all creatures that share our planet. In this article, discover how to celebrate World Animal Day with simple and fun ideas.
CELEBRATE WORLD ANIMAL DAY WITH YOUR FOUR-LEGGED COMPANION
Whether you have a playful dog, an affectionate cat, or a curious little rodent, World Animal Day is the perfect occasion to strengthen the bond with your four-legged companion. In this first segment of our article, we present ideas for sharing moments of closeness with your pet.
- Pavilion of Knowledge
Did you know that as of October 4, 2022, the Pavilion of Knowledge has officially become a Pet-Friendly Museum? Six days a week, companion animals (amphibians, birds, dogs and cats, ferrets, ornamental fish, small rodents and rabbits, reptiles) can accompany their owners on visits to this science center — entry is subject to compliance with the Pavilion of Knowledge’s Regulations. In the Ticketing area of the Pavilion, there is a station for the identification and control of animals, including checking their health records and explaining the museum’s conduct rules. Each animal receives a “PATAporte” which ensures its entry into the museum. In the outdoor area, there are several water points for the animals. With the “Pet-Friendly Museum” label, the Pavilion of Knowledge also aims to raise public awareness about the importance of responsible pet adoption.
- UBBO
Shopping with your dog? At UBBO, your furry friend is also invited to join! Your dog can access the participating spaces and stores in the Dog Friendly Shopping Resort (Adidas, Ale-Hop, Bershka, Claire’s, etc.). To do this, you need to register your dog on the UBBO APP, available on the App Store and Play Store, and then have the documentation validated by the UBBO team. After this validation, you will receive an email to pick up your Welcome Kit at the Concierge Desk, where you will also receive an identifying bandana for your dog, which must always be visible during your furry friend’s visit to UBBO. To make the experience even more enjoyable for dogs and their owners, the shopping center opened the Parcão dog park in June 2024. Located in the Central Plaza, Parcão is a space for fun and activities for dogs of all sizes, consisting of the following: an area for small dogs and another for medium/large dogs, both featuring various toys and obstacles adapted to different sizes; support equipment, such as a water fountain, waste bag dispenser, and a dog restroom. Dogs do not need to be registered in the UBBO Dog Friendly service to use Parcão.
- Outdoor photo shoot
Capture unique memories with your pet (dog or cat) during an outdoor photo shoot. Imagine yourself in the midst of nature, sharing moments of closeness with your faithful four-legged companion. Enjoy a natural environment where your friend can roam freely and let professional photographers capture those spontaneous moments, filled with love and joy. You’ll leave with unforgettable memories, ready to beautify your home. Sites like Odisseias offer sessions in Lisbon (Alameda or Parque Bela Vista) and Cascais.
CELEBRATE WORLD ANIMAL DAY WITH COMMITMENT
By adopting or sponsoring an animal in need, becoming a temporary foster family, volunteering, or supporting shelters and organizations, you can make this day memorable for the whole family. Let’s explore different places that care for animals and are counting on you!
- Casa dos Animais de Lisboa
The Casa dos Animais de Lisboa (CAL) is the Official Animal Shelter for abandoned animals in the city. It promotes the capture and treatment of these animals, carries out actions to reduce abandonment, and encourages responsible adoption. CAL provides all the information about animals available for adoption.
- União Zoófila
The União Zoófila, founded in 1951, is currently a leading association in Portugal for the protection of abandoned, neglected, and abused domestic animals. It is a non-profit public utility organization, recognized as an NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) and a public utility entity. It houses hundreds of dogs and cats who have been abandoned or mistreated, many of them taken in with precarious health conditions.
- Onde há Gato não há Rato
The association Onde há Gato não há Rato (OHG) was founded in 2013 and operates in the municipality of Almada. Its mission is to reduce the overpopulation of “street cats” in the area. OHG believes that the solution to the issue of street cats primarily lies in educating the public about respect for animals, preventing abandonment, and reducing the overpopulation of cats in urban spaces. To this end, it develops: Project CSR (Capture, Sterilize, and Rehome); Project CSI (Capture, Sterilize, and Integrate); and awareness-raising actions among the public.
- Gatos do Jardim
Gatos do Jardim was born out of tremendous work and dedication to an existing colony in this garden in S. Pedro do Estoril, which has become the first and only true cat village in the country. The association prioritizes dedication, quality of care, and protection for these animals. It dreams of a sanctuary concept where animals live in their habitat, protected, safe, and happy. It aims to raise awareness about these wonderful animals, promote more adoptions, and change mindsets so that Portugal truly becomes a country that is genuinely sensitive to animals.
CELEBRATE WORLD ANIMAL DAY BY MEETING THEM
To celebrate World Animal Day, it is important to reflect on the impact our actions can have on animal welfare. Instead of visiting zoos or aquariums, where animals are confined to restricted spaces and far from their natural environment, opt for alternatives that allow them to live freely. Observing animals in their natural habitat is not only a more enriching experience but also a way to respect them and support the preservation of their ecosystem. By choosing activities that promote conservation rather than exploitation, you contribute to their well-being while creating unforgettable memories in harmony with nature.
- Tapada Nacional de Mafra
In an area of 833 hectares, we find a unique forest with a great diversity of habitats, where different species can be observed in freedom. It is a mature forest that has become a distinctive location for environmental awareness, education, and preservation of its precious natural heritage. The species range from large birds such as the Bonelli’s Eagle (Aquila fasciata) or the Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) to small mammals like the European Polecat (Mustela putorius) or the Bechstein’s Bat (Myotis bechsteinii), insects like the Marsh Fritillary butterfly (Euphydryas aurinia), and reptiles like the Horned Viper (Vipera latastei). Tapada Nacional de Mafra offers experiences for all ages: hiking trails, electric car tours, bike rentals, and carriage rides are some of the available activities.
- Centro de Recuperação do Lobo Ibérico
Come and meet the true wolf at the Centro de Recuperação do Lobo Ibérico. The CRLI is not a zoo but a sanctuary for wolves that cannot live in the wild: victims of traps, abuse, or illegal captivity. Here, the animals live in unique conditions that closely resemble their natural habitat. As a prime location for wolf observation, the CRLI has already welcomed over 100,000 visitors from around the world, who have had the chance to see this predator in semi-natural conditions. Sign up for a guided tour and contribute to the conservation of the last large predator in our country.
- Reserva Natural do Estuário do Tejo
The Reserva Natural do Estuário do Tejo is the largest wetland in Portugal, dotted with mudflats and salt marshes. Here, various migratory birds find refuge after long flights and make this ever-changing region their home throughout the year. However, the best time for birdwatching is from September to May. In the fall, thousands of flamingos arrive for a unique display of beauty. But these impressive residents are not the only ones: the salt marshes also host the long-legged stilt, the great snipe, the right-billed sandpiper, and the tailorbird, among others. A great way to explore the biodiversity of the Tagus Estuary is to book a boat tour with an ornithologist, who will provide more detailed information about migration phenomena.
- Dolphin Watching on the Tagus River
In collaboration with Terra Incógnita, the Oceanário de Lisboa offers an unparalleled experience on the Tagus River: dolphin watching. Lisbon is the only European capital where you can see dolphins in the wild. Take advantage of the return of these magnificent cetaceans to the Tagus and enjoy a boat trip along the river, where the wildlife off Lisbon reveals its beauty in full. An unforgettable program to experience with family or friends. While boarding at Doca de Santo Amaro for this fascinating tour, you may also observe other species that enrich the biodiversity of the Tagus estuary, such as shearwaters, gulls, cormorants, and sometimes even sharks.
CELEBRATE WORLD ANIMAL DAY ALL YEAR ROUND
Why limit our reflection to just one day of the year? Let’s make every day an opportunity to celebrate our four-legged companions, and we conclude this article with a series of events for animal lovers.
- Morcegos no Castelo
In the company of biologists from Biota and with the help of an ultrasonic detector, join a nighttime tour of São Jorge Castle to discover, observe, and identify the various species of bats that inhabit the area, such as the lesser horseshoe bat, the pipistrelle bat, the pygmy bat, the grey long-eared bat, and the whiskered bat. Understand the extraordinary role bats play in the functioning of ecosystems, while demystifying myths and legends that still surround them with an aura of mystery. (September 7, 14, 21, and 28)
- Dog Trekking na Peninha
On September 29, bring your four-legged friend for a fun and energizing walk that they truly deserve. Starting at the Peninha Sanctuary, explore the surrounding woods with your furry companion. This is a unique opportunity to give your friend a specialized walk with a trainer. Event Difficulty Level 1: Easy – Accessible to everyone, including children over 10 years old who are used to walking. Distance: 5 km. Approximate Duration: 3 hours.
A Dieta das Corujas
Night raptors are agile and elusive, making them difficult to observe in their natural habitat. For this reason, their study often relies on indirect techniques such as diet analysis. By examining their pellets, it is possible to identify their prey and, consequently, the species present in their hunting grounds. Come to the Metropolitan Park of Biodiversity to discover what owls eat. (September 28)
- Festa Animal ’24 – Oeiras pelos animais
The Festa Animal ’24 is back! It will take place on October 5th and 6th at the Oeiras Municipal Garden, from 10 am to 7 pm, with free entry. The event offers a diverse program, including adoption campaigns, themed workshops, dog demonstrations, exhibitors, and entertainment for the whole family, among many other surprises! Dogs are always welcome at the Festa Animal. Don’t forget to bring a leash (and a muzzle – for breeds that require it) and a bag to pick up your dog’s waste.
- Pet Festival
The Pet Festival – Family and Companion Animals Festival will return to FIL in 2025, from January 31 to February 2, promising once again to be the meeting point for all pet lovers, enthusiasts, and friends. This is the largest event in the country dedicated to companion animals, bringing together various animal communities, from dogs and cats to small mammals, reptiles, fish, birds, horses, and even farm animals. During the event, around 16 thematic areas will be highlighted, featuring activities such as an Adoption-focused Educational Park, obedience workshops, mondioring and agility, meetings for friends of different breeds, dog shows, official dog and cat breeding competitions, photography sessions, and a grooming area open to those wishing to learn good animal welfare practices. Additionally, the Pet Festival offers a special auditorium program with workshops, lectures, and talks aimed at both the general public and industry professionals. This is the only major event in Portugal where visitors are encouraged to bring their pets and participate in a range of playful, sporting, and educational activities.
- 2ª Corrida do Amigo
Included in the Pet Festival, the “Corrida do Amigo” is an event designed for people and their best friends, dogs, who together complete a designated course to promote the importance of animals in our lives today, as well as a healthy way to practice sports and maintain a balanced life. On February 4, 2025, join the family for a unique day. There are two options: a 4km run or a Peddy-Papper walk.
