• The Pet Fair was attended by over 3,000 visitors and more than 500 dogs.

Animundo, the Companion Animal Fair, closed its sixth edition this Sunday, 19 November, fulfilling three objectives: raising awareness, encouraging adoptions and boosting the animal products and services sector.

Over the two days, Infecar, the Gran Canaria Fair, welcomed over 3,000 visitors and more than 500 dogs, who enjoyed a meeting point for all animal lovers as a family.

“Animundo closes its doors with success in raising awareness about animal care and responsible ownership. It has been a weekend where three thousand people have shared in this meeting place, not only for animal lovers but also for professionals, animal shelters and associations, all with the common goal of raising awareness, raising the value of animal care, responsible animal ownership and non-abandonment,” said the Councillor for Economic Development, Industry, Crafts and Trade of the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, Minerva Alonso.

With almost thirty exhibitors, Animundo provided ample space to showcase the commercial offerings of sectors such as food, insurance, education, fashion, veterinary clinics and centres, as well as associations and animal shelters, which presented the latest trends and products to visitors.

The actress and animal advocate, Mónica Cruz opened the session of talks and adoption catwalks with a personal talk. She told the story of her adopted dogs, Pandora, Robin, Mia, Raven, Bella, and Juanita. “They have all come to my home in different circumstances and at different times, and they have all taught me that the only thing they need is love. Love that helps them to heal the wounds they already have”, said Cruz.

Mónica Cruz was joined by Ismael Beiro, winner of the first edition of Gran Hermano, who told the audience how, together with his brother, he rescued the last family members from a ditch. “We didn’t have to talk to each other. As soon as we saw that two little heads were moving on the side of the road, we stopped the car, put them inside, and we knew they had a home”, he added.

After this, the first of the day’s sessions of the adoption walkways got underway. This attraction, the star activity of each edition of Animundo, has helped almost a dozen animals from the Bañaderos Island Animal Shelter and the Santa Lucía de Tirajana Town Hall to find families.

However, this walkway is a crucial element for families thinking of adopting to have first contact with how adoptions work, and then, if they do not make up their minds during the fair, they can formalise it during the next few days.

The canine pools, located outside the showground and back at this year’s Animundo, were one of the highlights of the two days, marked by high temperatures. The visiting dogs enjoyed playing in the water, and their owners could watch them having a great time.

In addition to the outdoor exhibitions, on this last day of the Pet Fair, there was a round table discussion on ‘Sport and fun for dogs and people’, an exhibition by the units of the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Local Police GOIA-UE and the Coexistence and Mediation Unit (UMEC) and three talks on the importance of knowing how to manage the death of our pet; responsible animal ownership and good practices in managing cat colonies.

Animundo thus closes a sixth edition marked by good results and a large public following, reaffirming the importance of having meeting points in which to gather around animal welfare.

This Companion Animal Fair is promoted and financed by the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, organised by Infecar, Feria de Gran Canaria; sponsored by El Corte Inglés; with the official collaboration of Cajasiete; and with the collaboration of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria City Council, the Gran Canaria Chamber of Commerce, the Island Animal Shelter, the Las Palmas Veterinary Association, the Granky Club and Atap.