Portugal has formally recognised animals within its civil protection framework. Law No. 38/2026, which entered into force on 8 August, requires civil protection systems to include the ‘search, rescue, evacuation, accommodation and assistance’ of animals during emergencies and disasters.
‘This is the most significant change that the Portuguese legal system has introduced to date regarding the protection of animals in emergencies and disasters,’ commented Pedro Fabrica, president of the Portuguese Veterinary Order (OMV). ‘It paves the way for coordination to cease being informal.’
Animals brought into civil protection law
Animals are now explicitly included in civil protection planning at national and municipal level. The Directorate-General for Food and Veterinary Affairs (DGAV) will participate in national and regional coordination structures and appoint representatives for animal health and welfare. Municipal veterinary authorities will also be represented in municipal civil protection commissions, while municipalities must incorporate animal emergency planning and exercises into their preparedness activities.
The law also establishes animal reception and assembly areas within emergency operations, providing logistical support for rescue, accommodation and triage.
Building veterinary emergency capacity
While the OMV contributed to the legislative process, the final law does not define the veterinary teams, facilities, resources or operational responsibilities needed to deliver animal rescue in practice. To address these gaps, the OMV has established a Veterinary Rescue Volunteer Programme, is developing a national network of veterinary centres able to support animal rescue, and creating a technical committee on animal emergencies and disasters. Training programmes for veterinary surgeons and civil protection officers are also underway.
As OMV President Pedro Fabrica emphasised, ‘the new framework creates an important opportunity to ensure that animal rescue is planned before, rather than improvised during, a disaster.’
For more details see the press release issued by the OMV.
(image ©OMV)