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 with children, while some pets have birthday parties, attend daycare and swimming lessons, others literally die of hunger.
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 the 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 the predation of native species. Furthermore, they contribute to social problems such as traffic accidents, bites, fights with other animals, and zoonotic diseases.
As a tourist, it's painful to witness animals in the streets, affecting our perception of a destination. Many other travelers, especially those who are passionate about pets like me, share this experience.
Cultural aspects
Beyond the issue of abandonment, in many regions there is still a culture that animals should live freely, and many dogs and cats, despite having "owners," have free access to the street and are raised "loose"—these are semi-domesticated animals, which, although they receive some kind 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 live freely. The domestication process of dogs began approximately 25,000 years ago, while that of cats began 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 should 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, and this includes spaying/neutering programs, health care, and population management.
Furthermore, it is crucial to promote awareness campaigns about the importance of pet sterilization, the need to keep animals under responsible care, and actions to reduce animal abandonment. Public education plays a vital role in changing attitudes and behaviors towards animals.
In short, to be truly pet-friendly, it's not enough to be friendly only 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 Irent
Founding partner of Cãomigo, she has been working in the Pet Friendly Tourism area for 6 years. She holds 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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**Any article in which the author presents and defends their 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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