Brazil expands animal welfare programs in Santa Catarina and Salvador

The state of Santa Catarina reported that 76% of the R$17 million budget for its "Pet Levado a Sério" program was spent in the first half of 2026, funding 63,857 free sterilizations for dogs and cats across 189 municipalities. The initiative aims to complete 90,000 procedures to curb stray animal populations and improve public health.

In Salvador, the municipal secretariat for sustainability and animal protection launched a public awareness drive on the crime of animal abandonment, reinforcing the 2020 "Lei Sansão" which carries two to five years in prison and fines. The city records roughly 300 abandonment complaints annually and encourages residents to report incidents via emergency lines or the public prosecutor's website.

Both measures illustrate a broader push by Brazilian authorities to strengthen animal welfare, combine financial investment with legal enforcement, and promote responsible pet ownership.