Among the set of investments, Luísa Salgueiro highlighted the creation of canine parks - playgrounds for non-reactive dogs and breeds not potentially dangerous with green and recreational areas, drinking fountains, benches, waste bin and dispenser bags for waste removal.

After inaugurating the first one in September 2017, in the Environmental Park of Ribeira de Picoutos, the municipality will open the second with an area of 1,790 square meters, next to the Seara Housing Estate, an investment of €31,000.

In addition to these, the mayor, elected by Socialist Party, said that a third park will be built in São Mamede de Infesta, and is already in the final phase of the project.

Luisa Salgueiro also announced that, by mid-October, a pack park should be concluded, in Custóias, to accommodate wild dogs that will be monitored and treated daily by handlers and volunteers. Each pack will have its own space, separate from the others.

Costing €100,000, the area will be ample, with shelters, vegetation and shade.

Since the end of 2018, 39 wild dogs (adults and puppies) have been removed from the public highway and are waiting to be transferred to the pack park, she said, adding that there are 11 more packs of dogs assigned for transfer, which means about 100 animals.

The mayor stressed that the Matosinhos Animal Collection Centre has reached its maximum capacity, housing 150 dogs and 30 cats, and so will undergo a reorganisation involving the creation of new spaces, an adaptation of facilities and hiring of nine professionals.

To encourage adoption, the city council offers vaccination and deworming of animals and has signed cooperation protocols with seven medical-veterinary care centres to provide discounts on consultations, vaccination and surgeries.

The municipality will also receive the Animal Collection Centre of the Animal Protection Society with capacity to receive more than a thousand animals.

The centre will have 494 kennels, 30 catteries, clinic, medical-veterinary hospital, support buildings, garden areas and parking spaces.

With an estimated cost of €2 million, €800,000 of which from the local council, the work should start at the beginning of 2020.