As of May 2024, mainland Portugal is home to over 930,000 stray animals, comprising approximately 830,541 cats and 101,015 dogs.
In 2023, official collection centres (CROs) rescued 45,148 stray animals, reflecting a concerning trend in animal abandonment.
The issue of abandoned animals has been escalating over recent years. In 2021, 43,603 animals were collected, with a slight decrease to 41,994 in 2022.
Despite this minor reduction, the overall number of stray animals remains alarmingly high.
Several factors contribute to this situation, including the economic crisis and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. During lockdowns, many individuals adopted pets for companionship, but as restrictions lifted and financial hardships grew, some found themselves unable to continue caring for their animals, leading to increased abandonment.
Efforts are underway to address this challenge. Animal welfare organizations and municipal authorities are promoting sterilization and adoption initiatives to control the stray population and provide homes for abandoned animals. However, the high number of strays underscores the need for more effective measures and public awareness to combat animal abandonment in Portugal.