However, the Algarve is the region where there is the least lack of knowledge regarding pet-friendly places, with only one in four of those interviewed stating that they do not know or not frequent pet-friendly places with their animals.

These are some of the conclusions of the study ‘A better world for pets: pets in Portugal’, which presents a portrait of pet owners and their perspective on how pet-friendly Portuguese cities are.

According to the study in the Algarve, the dog is the predominant pet, with 66% of respondents claiming to have one, followed by the cat (59%). For pet owners in the Algarve, the aspects that most contribute to making a city pet-friendly are the existence of sufficient parks and green areas (73%), the implementation of pet-friendly policies by the public administration (55%) and the existence of sufficient establishments adapted to the integration of animals (45%).

The region is also the one where there is greater openness on the part of local businesses, being well above the national average in terms of the percentage of respondents who say they know shopping malls and pet-friendly stores, or frequent animal-friendly places.