Dogs for Adoption in Portugal

dogs for adoption in Portugal from canis municipais e associações. Photos, age and direct shelter contact. Updated daily.

Perguntas frequentes sobre adoção em Portugal

Onde adotar cães em Portugal?

Nesta página reunimos cães para adoção em Portugal, vindos de canis municipais, gatis e associações de proteção animal (canis municipais e associações). Cada perfil tem fotografia, idade, porte e o contacto direto do abrigo — a adoção é sempre feita com o abrigo, o AdoptPets Portugal é apenas o diretório que agrega as listagens.

Quanto custa adotar um cão em Portugal?

A adoção em si é gratuita na maioria dos canis municipais. Alguns abrigos e associações pedem uma comparticipação, normalmente entre 40 € e 150 €, que cobre vacinas, desparasitação, microchip e esterilização — despesas que teria de suportar de qualquer forma. Confirme sempre o valor diretamente com o abrigo.

Ver o custo real de ter um animal em Portugal

Como é o processo de adoção passo a passo?

1) Escolha o cão nesta página e abra o perfil. 2) Contacte o abrigo pelo link do perfil. 3) Marque uma visita para conhecer o animal. 4) Preencha o termo de adoção e pague a comparticipação, se houver. 5) O abrigo transfere o registo no SIAC para o seu nome — por lei, todos os cães e gatos têm de estar registados no SIAC.

Guia do registo SIAC

As listagens estão atualizadas?

Sim. Sincronizamos os sites dos abrigos todos os dias, por isso só vê animais ainda disponíveis para adoção. Quando um animal é adotado, deixa de aparecer nos resultados ou passa a estar marcado como adotado.

Posso adotar um cão se viver num apartamento?

Sim. O porte importa menos do que o nível de energia: muitos cães de porte médio e grande são calmos e adaptam-se bem a apartamento, desde que tenham passeios diários. Use os filtros de porte e idade nesta página, ou faça o nosso questionário para ver os cães que combinam com o seu estilo de vida.

Fazer o questionário de compatibilidade

A guide to adopting a dog in Portugal

Dogs become available for adoption every day in municipal kennels, animal welfare associations and foster homes, from the north of Portugal to the Algarve. This page gathers those listings in one place — but before you choose, it helps to understand the different types of shelter, what to ask about a dog’s health and temperament, and what Portuguese law requires of you as an owner.

Where these dogs come from

Municipal kennels (the councils’ official collection centres) take in stray dogs and dogs surrendered within the municipality. They usually have many adults and medium to large dogs waiting, with a token fee or none at all.

Associations and sanctuaries rely heavily on foster homes, so they tend to know each dog’s temperament well: whether it lives happily with other dogs, with cats or with children, and how it handles walks and a new home.

Puppy or adult dog?

A puppy needs booster vaccinations, socialisation and routine training in its first months, and adult size is hard to predict in mixed-breed dogs. Puppies should not leave the litter before 8 weeks old.

An adult dog arrives with its size and personality already settled — the shelter can tell you whether it is calm indoors, walks well on a lead and gets on with other animals. Adults are also the ones who wait longest for a family.

See puppies for adoption

What to ask about health

Ask for the health record and check the rabies vaccination (required from 3 months of age, with an annual booster), the multivalent vaccination, internal and external deworming, and neutering — or a commitment to have it done.

In the south of the country also ask about leishmaniasis testing and protection with a collar or spot-on treatment. A dog with well-managed leishmaniasis can live a normal life with veterinary follow-up.

What the shelter will ask of you

Most ask for an adoption form, a conversation (in person or by phone), space suited to the dog’s size, a fenced yard where relevant, and the landlord’s permission if you rent. Many carry out a follow-up visit.

The adoption contribution, where there is one, is usually between €50 and €200 and covers vaccinations, microchipping, deworming and neutering — almost always less than arranging all of that yourself.

Legal duties: microchip, SIAC and licence

Every dog must be microchipped and registered in the SIAC database in the owner’s name, and licensed at the local parish council (junta de freguesia). On adoption, the shelter handles the transfer of registration — make sure it is completed before you take the dog home.

If you adopt a breed classed as potentially dangerous, the law also requires civil liability insurance and a specific licence.

How SIAC registration works

I need to rehome a dog

No kennel is obliged to accept a voluntary surrender, and abandonment is a crime. Start by contacting associations in your area: many will help publicise the dog and find temporary fostering without removing it from your home.

Having the dog neutered, vaccinated and properly registered greatly increases the chance an association will agree to help. As a last resort, contact your municipality’s official collection centre.

Dogs for adoption by region

Dogs for adoption in Lisbon Dogs for adoption in Porto Dogs for adoption in the Algarve Dogs for adoption in Centro Dogs for adoption in Alentejo Dogs for adoption in Madeira

Browse by size and age

Browse other regions

Dogs for adoption by city

Why adopt a dog in Portugal?

Hundreds of dogs are waiting for a family in Portugal. Adopting instead of buying gives a rescue animal a second chance and frees up shelter space for the next one. AdoptPets Portugal aggregates listings from municipal kennels, catteries and animal protection associations, with daily sync so you only see pets still available.

Use the filters above to browse by breed, age, gender or municipality. Each dog links directly to the originating shelter, where you can arrange a meet-and-greet and start the adoption process.

Cão para adoção em Portugal

Procura um cão para adoção em Portugal? O AdoptPets Portugal reúne cães para adoção em Portugal (Algarve, Lisboa, Porto) — cachorros, adultos e séniores — de canis municipais, gatis e associações de proteção animal. As listagens são atualizadas diariamente, por isso só vê animais ainda disponíveis para adotar.

Para adotar um cão em Portugal, escolha o animal, contacte o abrigo através da ligação no perfil, marque uma visita e conclua o processo de adoção no local. A maioria dos abrigos pede apenas uma comparticipação que cobre vacinas, microchip e esterilização. Adote, não compre.

For English-speaking adopters: dogs for adoption in Portugal

Looking to adopt a dog in Portugal? AdoptPets Portugal lists rescue dogs — puppies, adults and seniors — from animal shelters, municipal kennels and protection associations across Portugal. Listings are synced daily from each shelter so you only see dogs that are still available for adoption.

Adoption in Portugal is straightforward for residents and expats alike: pick a dog, contact the shelter directly through the link on each profile, arrange a meet-and-greet, and complete the adoption paperwork on-site. Most shelters ask for a small fee covering vaccinations, microchipping and sterilisation. Whether you're searching for a rescue dog, a puppie or a calm senior, you'll find pets in Portugal waiting for a home.