Monte Alto police uncover illegal cat blood trade

An investigation by the Civil Police has uncovered a clandestine scheme involving the illegal collection and sale of cat blood in Monte Alto, São Paulo. Two veterinarians, Thaís Daniele Antonussi and Renato Franco, have been formally charged with animal cruelty and criminal association.

The group allegedly operated a structured network where members were responsible for finding pet owners, transporting animals, and managing sales. According to the Public Ministry, the veterinarians are accused of being part of the technical command and financing nucleus. The blood, collected in approximately 50 ml bags, was reportedly sold for between R$ 500 and R$ 800 per unit.

To perform the extractions, animals were sedated using ketamine and dexmedetomidine. The procedures were reportedly carried out by a veterinary student. Veterinary reports indicated that the cats involved showed signs of malnutrition and were at risk of death due to hypovolemia, a condition caused by severe blood loss. While the formal charges specifically cite the mistreatment of six cats, investigators have identified records suggesting a much larger number of animals were affected by the operation.