Brazil Supreme Court orders municipalities to shelter abandoned animals

The Brazilian Supreme Court (STF) upheld a decision of the São Paulo State Court that obliges municipal governments to provide proper shelter for abandoned or mistreated dogs and cats. The ruling stems from a public civil action filed by the São Paulo Public Ministry after investigators found that the city of Catanduva had no public kennel or cat shelter, leaving care of rescued animals to volunteers and residents. Minister André Mendonça confirmed the judgment, rejecting the municipality’s appeal and reinforcing the judiciary’s power to dictate public policy when authorities fail to act.

The decision creates a new financial responsibility for municipalities, which must now allocate budget resources to build or maintain animal shelters and cover related veterinary costs. Catanduva officials said they have not yet received formal notification but are continuing education, sterilization and adoption campaigns, viewing public shelters as a last‑resort measure.