Pooches bark back at animal abuse during annual Madrid Sanperrestre walk

Dogs and their owners donned festive outfits for Madrid’s annual Sanperrestre walk, promoting animal adoption and raising awareness against abuse and abandonment.

Reuters

30 December 2025 at 13:14:09

People and dogs take part in the "Sanperrestre", an annual festive dog walk version of the traditional year-end San Silvestre race, to make a stand against animal abuse and abandonment while also raising awareness about adoption over the purchase of dogs and cats, in Madrid, Spain, December 30, 2025. REUTERS/Juan Barbosa

Juan Barbosa

Pups and their humans took over the streets of Madrid on Tuesday (December 30) for the traditional Sanperrestre walk to raise awareness about animal abandonment.

Animal protection group El Refugio organizes the annual festive dog version of the traditional year-end San Silvestre race against animal abuse and abandonment.

Excited pooches, some donning Santa costumes and other festive outfits, and walked with their owners by the Puerta del Sol square and other landmarks of the Spanish capital, topping off the event with the national New Year's Eve tradition of eating 12 grapes.

Production: Elena Rodriguez/Reuters