Criza abandonului de animale în Portugalia: Cauze și legi

In Portugal, abandoning an animal is a criminal offense punishable by law, yet enforcement remains challenging. Sandra Duarte Cardoso, president of SOS Animal, highlights the ongoing issue of pet abandonment, particularly during summer. Despite mandatory microchipping, the number of abandoned pets has not significantly decreased. Cardoso emphasizes the need for better civic education regarding animal care and suggests mandatory sterilization to reduce abandonment rates. Economic factors also contribute to the problem, as rising veterinary costs make pet ownership difficult for many. Countries like Greece and Belgium have implemented sterilization laws to address similar issues.