If there’s anything dog owners love more than their dogs themselves, it’s dressing them up in stylish clothing accessories such as cowboy hats, striped sweaters, and corduroy overalls.
On Sunday, January 19th, Madrileños and tourists alike gathered around the plaza de Chueca to celebrate San Antón (the patron saint of all animals) in one of the best ways the city knows how: a parade. But this parade did not have the typical bigger-than-life floats or religious imagery one may find in any other Spanish parade; the stars of the show were Madrid’s furry residents.
From as young as four months old to as old as at least eight years of age, all of the dogs and their owners in attendance had an opportunity to strut down the pink carpet runway in the center of the plaza. Every dog was met with a flood of hands from young children in every direction, giving them lots of love, and putting the fluffy friends in the middle of the spotlight.
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Camila sports a light pink corduroy jacket.
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Romeo, a Shih Tau from Japan, gets his hair groomed at the festival.
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While one of the main attractions of the San Antón festivities was the runway show, local vendors and sponsors set up shop surrounding the main stage. Organizations such as Contigo Cuídanos provided salon services and others with locally crafted dog accessories and clothing.
One of the main sponsors of the San Antón events is the widely renowned lesbian bar Fulanita de Tal, who also helps organize Madrid’s Pride events every July alongside the city council. The bar itself opened 16 years ago, but the Fulanita Dog foundation is a more recent endeavor.
The owner of Fulanita de Tal, Ruth Franco, started Fulanita Dog about six years ago, and describes the people who help run the bar as animalistas, or animal rights activists. The organization collaborates with La Asociación de Empresarios Gays y Lesbianas, the Gay and Lesbian Business Association to run Fulanita Dog.
“We are the intermediaries,” says Franco. “We pay for dog hotels or shelters where we have long distance dogs to keep them there [until they’re adopted]. We take dogs from all over Spain and even send them abroad.”
The Fulanita community, according to Ruth, has always been very large. Their efforts started on a smaller, more local level before gaining traction with provincial and national institutions that they work with today. Several years later, Fulanita still remains as a highly influential organization and community for Madrid’s LGBTQ+ residents.
For the organization, the money involved is one of the least important factors for keeping Fulanita afloat. Instead, the time and dedication from each of its members is the most valuable, keeping their legacy and influence heard around Madrid.
“I mean, look, I’ve been going for 16 years and we’re still the same,” says Franco. “We’re the ones that carry [the bulk of the adoption efforts for Fulanita Dog].”
The event was not just a spectacle of wagging tails and colorful costumes but also a heartfelt tribute to San Antón, the patron saint of animals. With the blessings bestowed and spirits high, this cherished tradition continues to highlight Madrid’s enduring love for its residents pets—one paw at a time.
