The campaign comes ahead of International Homeless Animals Day, marked on 15 August, and will support 54 animal protection organisations across mainland Portugal, including three in the Faro district.

The reusable "Pa-tudo" bags are sold for €1 in Lidl stores, with 50 cents from every bag going towards animal welfare. The money will be distributed between three organisations in each district, with the initiative coordinated by Animalife.

In the Algarve, the organisations receiving support are Associação Canil S. Francisco de Assis, Jardim da Aryel and Associação Cadela Carlota & Companhia.

The funding comes at a time when animal abandonment continues to be a serious problem in Portugal. The first National Census of Stray Animals estimated that close to one million dogs and cats are living on the streets, while more than 115 animals are abandoned every day on average.

The money raised will help the associations with their day-to-day work caring for and protecting animals, but the initiative also aims to prevent animals from being abandoned in the first place.

Part of the support will go towards helping families facing serious financial difficulties who may otherwise struggle to afford food and other basic needs for their pets. The aim is to help animals remain with their families rather than being given up because of financial problems.

Vanessa Romeu, Head of Corporate Affairs at Lidl Portugal, said reaching €150,000 in little more than a month showed the strong response from customers and would provide practical help to organisations working with abandoned animals.

The bags also have an environmental element. They are produced using plastic waste collected near coastal areas and carry Ocean Bound Plastic certification.

The "Pa-tudo" bags remain available in Lidl stores, meaning the amount raised for the campaign can continue to grow.