Algarve · Practical resource
Lost a pet or found an animal? Acting quickly makes all the difference. Report it to the official services, then use the guide to find the municipal animal service, vet or rescue organisation nearest you.
If your pet has just disappeared, don’t wait. Start searching the last-seen area and begin contacting the relevant organisations immediately.
Return to the last-seen location and search nearby hiding places.
Report the disappearance through SIAC as soon as possible.
Create a missing-pet notice on Encontra-me.org.
Notify the relevant Câmara Municipal/CRO, nearby veterinary practices and animal rescue organisations.
Post the information through local Facebook, WhatsApp and community networks.
Continue checking shelters, vets, municipal facilities and online listings.
Portuguese rules require the disappearance of an identified animal to be communicated to SIAC within 15 days. Do not wait for the deadline — report it as soon as possible.
National services that can help wherever you are in the Algarve.
Lost & found database
Portugal (national)
Report a missing or found identified animal and keep your registration details correct.
Last verified: September 2026
Police
Portugal (national)
Animal-related incidents, animals in danger and environmental or animal welfare matters.
Last verified: September 2026
Police
Portugal (national)
Contact the police where theft, the deliberate taking of an animal or another potentially criminal situation is suspected.
Find your nearest PSP station and contact them directly. We do not publish a single national number for local stations.
Maritime
Algarve coast
Relevant for incidents involving beaches, ports, marinas, coastal waters and other maritime areas.
Contact the Maritime Police station covering the port or beach area concerned.
Lost & found database
Portugal (national)
Portugal's dedicated lost-and-found animal platform. Publish a missing or found animal notice.
Last verified: September 2026
Municipal animal services and collection centres (CRO), vets, kennels and rescue organisations are all part of the main FOURFEET.guide directory. Choose what you need and the town where the animal was lost or found.
Starts on municipal animal services — change it to vets, kennels, rescues and more.
0 places on the map
Acting quickly can improve the chances of being reunited. Work through these steps in order, and keep a note of who you have already contacted.
Search the last-seen location carefully, including quiet corners and hiding places.
Expand the search gradually, street by street, rather than jumping to distant areas.
Report the disappearance through SIAC.
Publish a missing-animal notice on Encontra-me.org.
Contact the local municipality or CRO for your area.
Contact nearby veterinary practices, in case your pet has been taken in.
Contact rescue organisations and volunteer networks.
Share through local community networks — neighbourhood, Facebook and WhatsApp groups.
Put up physical posters near the last-seen area, with one clear photograph.
Keep searching and keep your notices updated — animals are found weeks later.
Avoid publishing every identifying detail. Keeping one or two details private can help verify that a person claiming the animal is genuinely the owner.
If an animal is injured, prioritise safety and veterinary assistance. Do not put yourself in danger trying to catch or move an unfamiliar or frightened animal.
Never enter dangerous water, climb unstable cliffs or enter traffic to rescue an animal.
The Algarve is also home to horses, donkeys and farm animals. For a missing large or farm animal, contact the local Câmara Municipal, GNR/SEPNA, nearby veterinary practices, farms, equestrian organisations and relevant rural community networks.
Do not attempt to move a large or frightened animal without appropriate experience and equipment.
If your pet goes missing, don’t wait for someone else to find them. Search, report, share and keep looking.
If you find an animal, remember that somewhere a family may be searching for them.
FOURFEET.guide helps pet owners discover trusted animal-related businesses, services, organisations and resources across the Algarve.
Information checked and maintained by FOURFEET.guide. Contact details can change, so please verify directly with the organisation when possible.
