Pet Owner's Guide to
Living in Brazil 2026

Choosing a Veterinarian in Brazil

Brazil has strong veterinary care in its major cities, delivered through a mix of private clinics and — uniquely — free municipal services in some cities.

Top Veterinary Options (São Paulo):

• São Paulo's municipal public veterinary hospitals – The city government runs free public veterinary hospitals for dogs and cats, a notable difference from most countries in this guide series
• Hospital Veterinário Saúde – A long-established (10+ years) 24-hour emergency clinic and pronto-socorro (ER)
• PRONTVET 24h – A well-reviewed 24-hour emergency veterinary service

👉 Tip: Private pet insurance exists in Brazil but is far less common than in the UK or US — many owners budget for vet costs out of pocket, so ask any Brazil-based relocation specialist what's typical in your specific city.

Emergency Services

Round-the-clock emergency veterinary services are available in Brazil's major cities, so urgent help is usually within reach for urban residents.

To prepare:

• Save your vet's emergency contact
• Know your closest 24-hour emergency clinic
• Keep a printed and digital copy of your pet's medical history (in Portuguese and English, if possible)

Pet-Friendly Cafes and Restaurants in Brazil

Pet-friendly dining is a growing trend in Brazil's major cities, especially in São Paulo.

Pet-Friendly Spots (São Paulo):

• Café Club 80 (Moema) – A café, bar, and restaurant explicitly branded as pet-friendly
• Purana (Pinheiros) – A restaurant known for its animal-friendly atmosphere
• Le Botteghe di Leonardo – An Italian restaurant repeatedly cited across independent pet-travel guides as dog-friendly

Dog Parks and Green Spaces in Brazil

Brazil's biggest cities have dedicated dog-friendly parks, though off-leash access is generally more restricted than in the UK — most public parks require a leash except in specifically designated off-leash areas.

Dog-Friendly Destinations:

• Ibirapuera Park (São Paulo) – The city's best-known park, leash-required, with a dedicated dog track
• Villa-Lobos Park (São Paulo) – Offers a designated off-leash area alongside its main trails
• Aterro do Flamengo / Parque de Cães (Rio de Janeiro) – A large waterfront park with a dedicated off-leash dog park
• Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas (Rio de Janeiro) – A dog-friendly 7.5km loop trail around the lagoon

Walking Tips:

• Keep dogs leashed outside of designated off-leash zones — enforcement varies, but it's the law in cities like São Paulo
• Beaches vary by city and even by specific stretch of sand on dog policy — check locally, as it's inconsistent even within Rio

Pet Supply Stores in Brazil

Brazil's pet retail market recently consolidated: Petz and Cobasi — previously Brazil's two largest pet store chains — merged in late 2025/2026 into a single company (trading as Petz Cobasi / União Pet on the B3 exchange under ticker AUAU3), now operating roughly 500 stores nationwide and describing itself as the largest pet products and services platform in Brazil.

Popular Retailers:

• Petz Cobasi (formerly separate Petz and Cobasi chains) – Brazil's largest pet retailer post-merger, with stores across the country and services including grooming and vet care in many locations

Pet Registration & Laws

Brazil doesn't have a single nationwide pet registration/microchip law the way the UK does, but there's meaningful regulation at both federal and municipal levels:

• Lei Sansão (the federal animal-cruelty law, an amendment to Brazil's Environmental Crimes Law) imposes 2–5 years in prison for abusing, injuring, or killing a dog or cat, plus fines and a potential ban on future animal ownership
• São Paulo Municipal Law No. 13.131 requires identification and registration of dogs and cats within the city
• The federal government has also been rolling out a national pet identification/registration initiative that can include microchip data where the animal already has one, though it's not a blanket nationwide microchipping mandate

Pet Culture & Community 

• UIPA (União Internacional Protetora dos Animais), founded in 1895 in São Paulo, is Brazil's oldest animal welfare organization and helped establish the country's early animal protection movement
• Dog-walking and pet-sitting services are increasingly common in major cities
• Adoption is actively promoted by numerous rescue organizations operating locally

Final Thoughts

Brazil is a warm, welcoming place to be a pet parent, with a fast-growing pet culture, beachside dog parks, and a retail and veterinary infrastructure that's expanding quickly in its major cities — though pet-specific rules and amenities can vary noticeably from one city to the next.

👉 For help managing paperwork, finding the right pet relocation options, or planning your return move, contact Starwood Pet Travel—your trusted partner for international pet transport.