Veterinary action in a public health emergency: the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul experience in sheltering dogs and cats during the Porto Alegre/Brazil floods at Centro Vida
1
Department of Animal Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
2
Veterinary Hospital of Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
3
Public Health Department, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT:
In May 2024, unprecedented floods severely affected Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil, causing large-scale displacement of people and animals and creating significant public health challenges. Flood-related disasters exacerbate health risks, disrupt essential services, and increase the vulnerability of both human and animal populations.¹ In this context, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) played a central role in the emergency response, reinforcing the integration of animal health, human health, and environmental health. UFRGS professionals, residents, and students actively participated in the organization and operation of emergency shelters for rescued dogs and cats, particularly at Centro Vida, a facility provided by the state government and operated primarily by volunteers. Veterinary teams implemented structured clinical and managerial protocols, including animal registration, triage, emergency care, hospitalization, field assistance, disease surveillance, vaccination, and referral for specialized treatments. More than 700 dogs and cats received care during the operation, with up to 500 animals housed simultaneously. Care addressed both acute conditions related to flooding and chronic or neglected diseases, including transmissible venereal tumor (TVT), parasitic infections, malnutrition, neoplasms, and infectious diseases such as parvovirosis and canine distemper. Regarding outcomes, 345 dogs were successfully adopted (159 females, 160 males, 26 unknown sex), and 257 dogs were reunited with their original owners (91 females, 135 males, 29 unknown sex). These results demonstrate the effectiveness of coordinated veterinary care, animal identification, and shelter management in post-disaster scenarios. This experience highlights the essential role of veterinary institutions in disaster response, aligning with international recommendations that emphasize animal health services as a core component of emergency preparedness and public health resilience.² The actions undertaken by UFRGS during the floods underscore the importance of integrating veterinary services into disaster management strategies under a One Health approach.
In May 2024, unprecedented floods severely affected Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil, causing large-scale displacement of people and animals and creating significant public health challenges. Flood-related disasters exacerbate health risks, disrupt essential services, and increase the vulnerability of both human and animal populations.¹ In this context, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) played a central role in the emergency response, reinforcing the integration of animal health, human health, and environmental health. UFRGS professionals, residents, and students actively participated in the organization and operation of emergency shelters for rescued dogs and cats, particularly at Centro Vida, a facility provided by the state government and operated primarily by volunteers. Veterinary teams implemented structured clinical and managerial protocols, including animal registration, triage, emergency care, hospitalization, field assistance, disease surveillance, vaccination, and referral for specialized treatments. More than 700 dogs and cats received care during the operation, with up to 500 animals housed simultaneously. Care addressed both acute conditions related to flooding and chronic or neglected diseases, including transmissible venereal tumor (TVT), parasitic infections, malnutrition, neoplasms, and infectious diseases such as parvovirosis and canine distemper. Regarding outcomes, 345 dogs were successfully adopted (159 females, 160 males, 26 unknown sex), and 257 dogs were reunited with their original owners (91 females, 135 males, 29 unknown sex). These results demonstrate the effectiveness of coordinated veterinary care, animal identification, and shelter management in post-disaster scenarios. This experience highlights the essential role of veterinary institutions in disaster response, aligning with international recommendations that emphasize animal health services as a core component of emergency preparedness and public health resilience.² The actions undertaken by UFRGS during the floods underscore the importance of integrating veterinary services into disaster management strategies under a One Health approach.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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