A ceremony was held on Monday this week to mark the laying of the first stone in what will be the Lagos animal Cemetery, which is taking shape next to the municipal kennel.
The local council expects it will be finished by June this year.
The 39-plot project comprises graves of various sizes, for large, medium and small-size animals, as well as green spaces, garden furniture and the building of a shed.
The building of a pet cemetery in Lagos was one of three council projects that garnered the most public votes for the 2016 local budget.
Lagos Mayor Maria Joaquina Matos said: “We are all to be congratulated, but especially the proponent of this project, Cecília Paula do Carmo, who is also the head of one of the most important associations for Animal Welfare – the association Cadela Carlota - which has embraced this cause for many years.”
Saying that “this is a pioneering project in the Algarve, and the third nationally” – the only other cemeteries for animals are in Lisbon Zoo and in the district of Aveiro (Santa Maria de Feira)the mayor stressed that this was “a tribute to and a sign of respect for our animals, providing them with a dignified last dwelling.
“This is the first step in building a place of affection and tenderness for our animal companions, and also embodies new legislation that came into force in this area.”
In Maria Joaquina Matos’ opinion this infrastructure will provide the Municipality of Lagos “with a dignified resting place, and in accordance with the principle enshrined in Article 13 of the Universal Declaration of the Rights of Animals, according to which “the dead animal must be treated with respect.”