The breakfast marks the presentation of the PL dedicated to the animal cause in the country

Fundraising is one of the main problems faced by Brazilian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) dedicated to animal protection. Most rely on donations to cover basic and recurring expenses, such as: food, cleaning products and veterinary care.

In the current Brazilian scenario, 30.2 million dogs and cats live in abandoned situations, which represents 25% of the total population of these animals. The data comes from the “Animal Abandonment Index”, a study carried out by Mars.

But even though considerable progress has been made in recent years for the animal cause, the problem requires broader action.

This is why the Brazilian Federation for Animal Causes (FEBRACA), created with the aim of strengthening, connecting and institutionally supporting animal protection organizations in Brazil, proposed the implementation of a mechanism that contributes resources to animal protection projects on the basis of income tax (IR). “These laws, which I call the institutional strengthening of animal protection NGOs, are not just about helping an NGO. They are real projects that have a positive impact on society,” says Cadu Pinotti, founder of FEBRACA, who has been working in the sector as a voluntary entrepreneur for 13 years.

He emphasizes that animal protection does not only concern “animals, but a question of public health and safety, well-being and even tourism”, he reinforces.

Bill

Among the initiatives followed by FEBRACA is the project to create the law to encourage the adoption and protection of animals, written by MP Matheus Laiola (União/PR), which proposes the creation of a legal framework for the protection of animals in Brazil. The text, which aims to propose permanent instruments for the sector, like the Culture, Sport and Recycling models, was presented during a breakfast this Wednesday, December 10 at the Chamber of Deputies.

The proposal provides for around 1 billion reais, which will be collected annually for NGOs that offer castration, vaccination, responsible adoption, temporary housing for rescued animals and other actions contributing to animal welfare.

There are currently many independent organizations and protectors carrying out functions that should be the responsibility of public authorities. With the high demand for abandoned animals in cities, these entities face a huge challenge in raising funds and maintaining their work, which for the most part still remains 100% voluntary, as FEBRACA points out.

“Imagine feeding 50, 100, 200 animals every day without any help from the public authorities. Often, protectors stop eating to give to the animals. The law is intended to be a big step in protecting animals,” Laiola said.

Individuals will be able to allocate up to 6% of the IR due, and legal entities up to 1%, to projects previously approved by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.

“Today we have incentive laws for various causes, but not for the animal cause. NGOs reach where the state cannot, but they are precarious and without access to resources. The law creates a democratic way to help, whether as an individual or a legal entity,” explains Katia Souza, director of corporate affairs at Mars.
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The event in support of the cause brought together parliamentarians, representatives of public and private entities of the animal cause and the press to denounce the urgency of public support regarding the costs of maintaining rescued animals.

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Cadu Pinotti during the presentation of the bill that creates the law of incentive for the adoption and protection of animals, allowing individuals and companies to allocate part of the RI to NGOs for the cause

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Deputy delegate Matheus Laiola is one of the authors of the project which creates the law to encourage the adoption and protection of animals.

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MP Aliel Machado spoke in favor of the cause

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Presentation of the bill creating the law to encourage the adoption and protection of animals, allowing individuals and businesses to allocate part of the RI to NGOs for the cause

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Deputy Marcelo Queiroz showed his support for the cause

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Katia Souza, Director of Corporate Affairs at Mars

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Nilto Tatto was present at the event and spoke in favor of the topic discussed

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Vanessa Negrini, director of the animal protection and defense department

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Representative Luiz Carlos Busato during the presentation of the bill that creates the law of incentive for the adoption and protection of animals

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Cadu Pinotti, founder of Febraca, who has been working in the sector as a voluntary entrepreneur for 13 years

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Presentation of the bill creating the law to encourage the adoption and protection of animals, allowing individuals and businesses to allocate part of the RI to NGOs for the cause

Breno Esaki/Metrópoles @BrenoEsakiFoto

Breakfast

The event in support of the cause brought together parliamentarians, representatives of public and private entities involved in the animal cause and the press to highlight the urgency of public support regarding the costs of maintaining rescued animals.

Cadu officially opened the meeting by speaking about his long personal journey in the region, the harsh reality observed in shelters and the representative impact of FEBRACA in the fight against animal abuse and in bringing together NGOs.

The Federation also stands out for having carried out the first mapping of animal protection organizations in the country’s history, identifying 2,613 formalized institutions in Brazil.

Also present were the director of corporate affairs of Mars Pet Nutrition, Katia Souza, and deputies Matheus Laiola, Luiz Carlos Busato, Gisela Simona, Fred Costa, Nilto Tatto and Aliel Machado, as well as Marcelo Queiroz (secretary of administration of the Rio de Janeiro City Hall) and Vanessa Negrini, director of the Department of Defense and Animal Protection of the Ministry of the Environment.

The initiative demonstrated a strong consensus regarding the importance and urgency of the cause, in addition to joining forces to allocate public policies and funding to support the work carried out by the organizations, as well as the rescue and rehabilitation of vulnerable animals.