Inequality and Animal Abandonment in Brazil: The Impact on Tourism
In Brazil, a country marked by inequality, the reality is no different for pets. While we rank among the largest pet markets in the world, we also live with the cruel reality of millions of abandoned animals. Just as it is for children, while some pets have birthday parties, attend daycare, and swim lessons, others literally starve to death.
Alarming data from the World Health Organization estimates that there are approximately 30 million abandoned animals in Brazil, including 10 million cats and 20 million dogs. This scenario raises an important question: how does this affect tourism? The answer is more complex than it seems.
Tourism is inherently linked to the quality of the environment visited. We cannot talk about the quality of the destination without considering the quality of life of its residents, and this needs to include non-human animals as well.
Domestic animals on the streets, or with free access to streets and natural areas, cause serious damage to the environment, including predation of native species. Furthermore, they contribute to social problems such as traffic accidents, bites, fights with other animals, and zoonoses.
As a tourist, it's painful to witness animals on the streets, affecting our perception of a destination. Many other travelers, especially pet lovers like myself, share this experience.
Cultural aspects
In addition to the issue of abandonment, in many regions there is still a culture that animals should live free, and many dogs and cats, despite having "owners", have free access to the street and are raised "free range". They are semi-domiciled animals, who although they receive some type of care, are also exposed to the same problems as abandoned animals.
Domestic animals, such as dogs and cats, are not wild animals and should not roam free. Dogs began domesticating approximately 25,000 years ago, while cats began domesticating approximately 5,000 years ago. They need a home, care, and affection.
As the pet-friendly tourism market grows in Brazil, it's vital to remember that concern for animals must extend to everyone, including residents and those living on the streets. To transform a destination into a truly pet-friendly place, it's essential to invest in the care and health of local animals, including spay/neuter, health, and population management programs.
Furthermore, it's crucial to promote awareness campaigns about the importance of spaying and neutering pets, the need for responsible care, and actions to reduce animal abandonment. Public education plays a vital role in changing attitudes and behaviors toward animals.
In short, to be truly pet-friendly, it's not enough to just be friendly to tourists' pets; you need to be friendly to all animals, especially locals. This not only improves the animals' quality of life but also attracts tourists who value animal welfare, promoting a safer and more welcoming environment for everyone.
Author: Sharlene Irente
Founding partner of Cãomigo, she has been working in the Pet Friendly Tourism area for 6 years. She has a degree in Psychology, a postgraduate degree in Organizational Psychology, an MBA in Business Management and a postgraduate degree in Customer Experience in Tourism...
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** Every article in which the author presents and defends his ideas and opinions, based on the interpretation of facts and data, does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the São Paulo Mais Perto program.
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