World Animal Day marked by local initiatives in Portugal and Brazil

To mark World Animal Day on October 4, various municipalities in Portugal and Brazil are holding events and highlighting animal protection initiatives.

In Viseu, Portugal, the ‘Viseu Animal Amigo’ initiative at Santiago Urban Park includes a 3.5 km walk, an international German Shepherd dog competition, and adoption spaces to promote responsible pet ownership.

In João Pessoa, Brazil, the municipal government is emphasizing its integrated animal protection network. Managed by the Secretariat of Animal Care and Protection (Secupa), the network provides veterinary assistance, population control, and zoonosis prevention. Key facilities include the Pet Hospital, Pet Clinic, and a mobile sterilization unit (Castramóvel), which offer services such as emergency care, surgeries, and diagnostic imaging to support local families and public health.