Throughout October, the Municipality of Loulé is promoting the Loulé Festival Animal, an initiative dedicated to the animal cause that integrates the municipal policy for Animal Welfare. The event presents a diverse program with in-person and digital activities focused on awareness, responsible adoption, and biodiversity protection.
The festival kicks off on October 1st with the commemoration of the Senior Dog Day. On this day, the winner of the online contest, which sought the oldest canine in the municipality, will be announced, aiming to raise awareness about the special needs of elderly dogs.
At the Quarteira Municipal Center, the photographic exhibition “Waiting for a Home” by Carlos Filipe will be inaugurated. The exhibition, open throughout the month, showcases stories of dogs and cats available for adoption at the Animal Rescue Algarve (ARA).
The Cerca do Convento do Espírito Santo in Loulé will host the Animal Welfare Fair on October 3rd, from 10 am to 3 pm. The venue will feature exhibitors, local associations, caregivers, drawing sessions, and children's stories, promoting the work carried out in the municipality for animals.
Animal Adoption Day, on October 4th, will be marked at Praça do Mar in Quarteira with responsible adoption initiatives under the slogan “Adopt. Don’t shop!”. ARA will lead the event, which includes a Dog Walk and prize draws, with adoption opportunities on-site.
On October 10th, the festival presents Kitty Yoga/Pilates sessions for cats at the Gatil do Canil de São Francisco de Assis, marking World Mental Health Day. On the same day, World Migratory Bird Day is celebrated with an information and outreach activity on social media, in partnership with the Associação Almargem, raising awareness about the illegal capture of wild birds.
On October 13th, 14th, and 15th, Mar Shopping Algarve will host the presentation of the PET Emergency Kit. In line with the theme of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, “Resilience starts at home,” the initiative aims to inform about essential supplies for ensuring animal safety during crises such as natural disasters or prolonged power outages.
As part of the festival, a “First Aid” training for animals will also be conducted.
International Sloth Day on October 17th will be celebrated at the Loulé Municipal Library with the initiative “Stories for Families”, promoting the preservation of these animals and a slower, more conscious lifestyle. On October 24th, at the same location, a finger puppet workshop titled “Animals at Your Fingertips” will take place.
On October 21st, the municipal executive and the Animal Welfare team will visit the facilities of Cimpor to discuss the creation of the first corporate cat colony.
The month's closing event, on October 31st at Mar Shopping Algarve, will feature the Algarve Coolest Dog. This fun event will award dogs in various categories, such as “best cookie catcher” and “best trick”.
The Loulé Festival Animal will have its official closing on January 10th, 2027, with the celebration of the 1st Blessing Mass for Animals in Loulé. This ceremony will also formally mark the end of the Jubilee Year commemorations of the Death of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and ecology.
By organizing this festival, the Loulé Municipal Chamber reinforces its ongoing commitment to raising community awareness about the respect, dignity, and protection of all companion animals and wildlife.
