The Setúbal City Council was distinguished in the 7th edition of the Autarchy of the Year – Grupo Mosqueteiros Award with the Casa da Bicharada project, winner in the category dedicated to infrastructures and municipal services for animal welfare, as announced in a press release.
According to the same source, the prize was received by Councillor Bruno Russo at a ceremony held on 7 October at the Belém Cultural Center in Lisbon, as part of the 3rd Local Summit, an initiative dedicated to promoting the value of local government and the dissemination of best municipal practices.
The national-level distinction recognises the municipality of Setúbal’s investment in modernising the Official Shelter for Companion Animals (CROAC) – Casa da Bicharada and the development of an integrated animal protection policy, in a strategy that combines public investment, veterinary care, prevention of abandonment, promotion of responsible adoption, and community participation.
The modernization of the CROAC significantly improved the reception, hygiene, safety, and treatment conditions of the animals, through the creation and upgrading of kennels and catteries, the installation of 14 group housing huts, and spaces dedicated to other species.
The facility provides new clinical and operational support capabilities, as well as a training field intended for the socialization and behavioral rehabilitation of the housed animals.
According to the results presented in the application for the 7th Autarchy of the Year – Grupo Mosqueteiros prize, in the subcategory Infrastructure and Municipal Services for Animal Welfare, within the Animal Care area, in 2025 there were 274 responsible adoptions, including 78 dogs and 196 cats; 428 sterilizations; 891 vaccinations; and 585 electronic identifications.
Within the scope of the CED – Capture, Sterilization and Return program, 288 cats were returned in a controlled manner to their respective colonies, contributing to an ethical management of the populations of stray animals.
One of the aspects highlighted in the nomination was the growing community involvement through the regular volunteer program, which mobilizes residents in activities such as supervision, care, dog-walking, and socialization of the housed animals.
The implementation of awareness campaigns, educational initiatives with about 490 children, dog-walking events and actions promoting responsible adoption have contributed to bringing CROAC closer to the public and fostering a culture of respect and responsibility toward animals.
This intervention also extends to public spaces, with the creation of dog parks in Algodeia, in Vanicelos and in Quinta da Amizade, as well as the installation of drinking fountains for animals in urban parks.
The distinction constitutes recognition of the work carried out by municipal services, particularly by the teams of the Department of Environment and Climate Action, the Division of Urban Hygiene, and CROAC, in coordination with volunteers, partners and citizens.
More than simply valuing a municipal facility, the prize highlights an integrated approach to animal protection, which combines the improvement of infrastructures with the quality of public services, prevention, education, and civic participation.
With this recognition, Setúbal reinforces its position as a municipality committed to animal welfare, public health, and the building of a more responsible, inclusive, and supportive community.
