• The Companion Animal Fair closes its doors, demonstrating the growing interest of citizens in responsible care for their companion animals

One more year, and now seven, the Companion Animal Fair, Animundo, says goodbye at Infecar, leaving a good taste in the mouths of citizens who have attended this weekend’s meeting of professionals, families, and animal lovers, who have in one space all the products and services for responsible care of companion animals.

Promoted and financed by the Cabildo of Gran Canaria and organized by Infecar, Animundo has counted on this occasion with 35 participating companies, which represents a record turnout to date, and in which food stores and brands, insurance companies, veterinary clinics and firms dedicated to therapy and education of companion animals, home care and services or even water treatment, along with associations and animal protection organizations and public entities such as the municipalities of Santa Lucía de Tirajana or Telde, and the Gran Canaria Insular Animal Shelter have gathered.

“We close the seventh edition of Animundo with important figures, both in the participation of companies, with 35 companies that met this weekend to show all services related to animal care, as well as in participation,” said the Councilor for Economic Development, Industry, Commerce and Crafts of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, Minerva Alonso.

The councillor noted that “more than 3,000 people have visited Infecar, Gran Canaria Fair, this weekend to share meeting spaces, training, and learning related to responsible care of companion animals.” In addition, 548 dogs came to the venue with their owners to enjoy the leisure offer designed for them.

This Companion Animal Fair showcases companies’ products and services and raises awareness about responsible pet ownership, which involves not only non-abandonment but also appropriate care for each type of companion animal.

“Not every dog is for every family, and not every family is for every dog,” canine ethologist Eider Fernández stated in her talk ‘Potentially dangerous dogs; the least understood typology’, dedicated to a topic that this edition of Animundo has primarily focused on. Throughout her presentation, the expert broke down the needs and interests that each species catalogued as potentially dangerous and how to provide the necessary care for a successful relationship.

Indeed, dogs categorized as potentially dangerous (PPP) have the reputation of being, as their name suggests, dangerous breeds. Therefore, their ownership involves some additional paperwork (contracting insurance) and following some rules (such as having to wear a muzzle in public areas). This means that when they are in a situation of abandonment, their adoption is even more complicated. However, those living with these breeds argue that it is an erroneous categorization and that many dogs are not more dangerous than others.

This Sunday also featured the intervention of Alejandro Suárez, president of the Official College of Veterinarians of Las Palmas, to explain the particularities of the ‘App Zoocan—technology for citizen awareness in managing feline colonies. Veterinarian and social media content creator Carmen Barreiro gave her vision on how to ‘Improve your furry friend’s health through their diet’, and Sira Roiz, the veterinarian at the Gran Canaria Insular Animal Shelter, gave an overview of the work they do in this entity.

Outside the fairgrounds, attendees enjoyed an exhibition by the units of the Local Police of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria GOIA-UE and the Coexistence and Mediation Unit (UME) and a ‘Punishment-free canine education workshop’, led by Laura Valle, canine instructor in assisted interventions of ATAP Canarias and Terapican.

The canine water and ball pools were also highlights of the two days. Visiting dogs enjoyed a moment of play in the water, and their owners enjoyed seeing how much fun they had.

Animundo is promoted and financed by the Cabildo of Gran Canaria and organized by Infecar, Gran Canaria Fair; sponsored by Kiwoko, Koala Mascotas, El Corte Inglés and Purina; it has Cajasiete as an official collaborator and the City Council of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the Chamber of Commerce of Gran Canaria, the Insular Animal Shelter, the Official College of Veterinarians of Las Palmas, Club Granky, ATAP Canarias, Club Deportivo Lomo Salas and Agapea, as collaborators.