Dog adoptions hit record low in Q1

The Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) euthanized 101 animals in the first quarter of 2025, a 42% drop from the 175 recorded in the same period last year.

Despite the overall improvement, dog adoptions have hit a two-year low, IAM data shows.

From January to March, 69 dogs and 32 cats were euthanized.

During the same period, 131 animals were adopted or reclaimed 102 cats and only 29 dogs. The number of dogs adopted was the lowest quarterly figure recorded in the last two years.

While cat adoptions have steadily increased over recent years, dog adoption numbers have remained consistently lower and continue to decline. In contrast, returns of animals by owners dropped sharply, with only two animals surrendered to the Coloane Municipal Kennel, compared to 40 in Q1 2024 and 26 in 2023.

The number of stray animals captured also fell to 268, including four microchipped pets. This is down from 632 last year and 197 in 2023.

IAM recorded fewer infractions under the Animal Protection Law.

Only one case of animal abandonment was reported, along with two violations for walking pets in public without proper documents. 14 cases were registered for failing to license dogs over three months old. The total number of valid dog licenses reached 13,106 by March.

Other notable figures include a decrease in animal aggression cases, from 34 in 2024 to 31 this year, and a sharp decline in microchip implantations, which fell to 388 – the lowest level in any quarter since records began.

Sterilization surgeries totaled 289, while rabies vaccinations dropped to 1,704, down from 1,811 last year and 2,934 in 2023.