With several publicity campaigns to raise awareness of the importance of adopting pets, the Portuguese, according to this investigation, have increasingly adhered to this cause.

Of the respondents, 64 percent say they have at least one pet, spending an average of €54 per month on their care. Of this group, 38 per cent reveal having children living and playing with these animals, and 83 percent believe that this interaction is positive and brings lots of benefits.

Additionally, 75 percent of respondents say there should be more support from the state for those who have pets - especially those who adopt rather than buy. Also, half of the respondents agree that the pet owner should be entitled to a day off work in the case of the death of a pet – something that was recently submitted to Parliament as a proposal.