Tavira, the quiet Algarve town known for its churches and island beaches, is putting animal welfare in the spotlight this autumn. On Sunday, October 4, the municipality's animal shelter will welcome the public for an open day to mark World Animal Day, and there's a good chance some visitors will leave with more than they bargained for.
The Animal Welfare, Health and Sanitation Unit, known locally as UBESSA, runs the municipal kennel and cattery. Between 10am and midday on the Sunday, the team will show people around the facilities, explain how the shelter operates day to day and, crucially, introduce them to the dogs and cats currently waiting for new homes. Anyone planning to attend needs to register first, either by phone on 281 320 506 or by email to the unit.
The open day isn't happening in isolation. It ties into a broader programme running alongside the São Francisco Fair, which takes over Tavira from October 2 to 5. Throughout the fair, UBESSA will staff an information stand where curious passers-by can learn about the shelter's work. Two dedicated "Happy Adoption" sessions are also on the calendar — Saturday, October 3 and Monday, October 5, each running from 4pm to 7pm — when shelter animals will be brought along so prospective adopters can meet them face to face.
For the town, it's a chance to promote responsible pet ownership and rehome some of its long-term residents. For visitors, it's a small, genuinely local event that shows a different side of the Algarve beyond the beach resorts — and if you happen to be in Tavira that weekend, meeting the shelter team is a rewarding way to spend a morning.
Updates on the animals and events are posted via the Canil Municipal de Tavira Facebook page and the shelter's Instagram account, so anyone considering adoption can browse the animals in advance.
