According to data provided to Lusa agency by SIAC, so far this year, 192,725 dogs, 133,585 cats and 392 ferrets were identified.

These numbers were requested when a year passes after the end of the 36-month transitional period for the identification of cats and ferrets that were born before the entry into force of the October 2019 decree-law, which determines mandatory registration.

Assuming that there are still many animals to be identified, the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests (ICNF) told Lusa that "an awareness campaign is planned to be launched at the beginning of next year, with the aim of raising awareness of the responsible ownership of companion animals, but also for their identification”.

The ICNF said that at the end of this year the results of the National Wandering Animal Census Program will be known, for which a protocol was established in 2021 with the University of Aveiro.

"With this census, the aim is to understand the numbers and well-being of stray animals (dogs and cats) that roam the public domain, in addition to determining the possible impacts, on a national scale", indicates the University, on its website.

With the identification of pets, the aim is to "counter abandonment and its consequences for the health and safety of people and the well-being of animals".

SIAC currently has 3,079 cases of found animals and 27,050 cases of lost animals open.

The SIAC source warns that these numbers should be read carefully, since "whenever a lost animal case is opened or an animal found by third party case is opened, the participant is asked to notify the participant that, once the animal is returned to its owner, in order to close the process", which does not always happen.

The Companion Animal Information System results from the merger of the Animal Identification and Recovery System (SIRA), in operation since 1992, and the Canine and Feline Identification and Registration System (SICAFE), created in 2003.

Adding the data from the two systems with that from SIAC, 3,277,275 dogs and 761,296 cats are identified, however the owners of the animals do not always report the death of the animals.

The ICNF also warns that in addition to placing a microchip in the animal, registration with SIAC is necessary.

"Unfortunately, there are those who continue to place 'microchips' without registering them [animals], which ultimately 'doesn't serve any purpose' because in the event of loss, theft or abandonment, it is not possible to reach the owner of the animal”.