Brazil moves forward with new animal welfare bills

Deputy Felipe Becari (Podemos‑SP) introduced Project 3.216/2026 in the Chamber of Deputies, proposing a "Virada Nacional da Castração de Cães e Gatos" to coordinate nationwide spay and neuter campaigns and related education on responsible pet ownership. The bill, filed on 18 June 2026, will be sent to the Chamber’s committees for review.

In the Senate, a separate initiative – the Estatuto dos Cães e Gatos (PL 6.191/2025) – was debated on 22 May. Led by Senator Paulo Paim (PT‑RS) and supported by Senator Fabiano Contarato (PT‑ES), the proposal seeks to codify rights and duties for pet owners, strengthen public policies against mistreatment and abandonment, and provide permanent financing mechanisms. Speakers highlighted that roughly 30 million dogs and cats roam the streets in Brazil, with families spending about 8 % of their monthly budget on pets. Both measures are currently under committee consideration and have not yet been enacted into law.