The Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Forestry, through the Regional Directorate for Agriculture, will promote the 1st Azores Pet Fair at Terceira Island Multisectoral Park between March 13 and 15, with a diversified programme to raise the awareness of the population for this issue.
"This event falls within the regional strategy for animal protection, promotion of animal welfare, awareness for responsible adoption and against animal abandonment," João Ponte said, adding that this fair involves the collaboration of public and private entities.
The first edition's programme includes demonstrations of basic obedience training featuring dogs sheltered at the Terceira Intermunicipal Official Collection Centre as well as demonstrations of search, rescue and drug detection operations by the canine units of PSP (Public Security Police) and GNR (National Republican Guard).
The Pata D'Açúcar Association, which rescues abandoned animals, will also have the opportunity to talk about their work and the training of animals for the early detection of human hypoglycaemic crises in diabetic patients.
For three days, there will also be several lectures to be delivered by various speakers, a dog contest for animals registered in the Portuguese Breeds Registry, as well as specialised dog exhibitions featuring the Barbado da Terceira breed and a Fila de São Miguel dog breed show, both evaluated by a jury of the Portuguese Kennel Club. Moreover, the event features a parade and a contest for dogs of undetermined breeds in the nicest dog, the friendliest eyes and the smartest dog categories, among others, which will be evaluated by the public.
This fair also includes an Agility demonstration, the most popular canine sport, a show featuring macaws and the release of homing pigeons.
Several animals sheltered at the Terceira Official Intermunicipal Collection Centre, the Terceira Animal Friends' Association and the Praia da Vitória Animal Protection Association will be brought to the fair for responsible adoption.