Around 300 people accompanied by their pets gathered in Rio de Janeiro’s Barra da Tijuca neighbourhood on the city’s western side for a lively Carnival-themed event that blended celebration with a message against animal cruelty. As temperatures reached about 30 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit), participants sang and danced to traditional Carnival tunes while ensuring their pets remained comfortable, keeping them in shaded areas to protect their paws from the heat.
The gathering, known as “Blocão,” featured dozens of dogs dressed in colourful costumes ranging from alligators and fairies to popular superheroes. The animals wagged their tails to the rhythm of samba music, enjoyed breakfast served in multiple bowls, and socialised with other pets during the festive street party. While the atmosphere reflected the joy and energy typical of Brazil’s Carnival season, the event also served as a platform for pet owners to raise awareness about violence and mistreatment of animals.
Blocão has become a long-standing tradition during Rio’s Carnival celebrations, combining the Portuguese word “bloco,” meaning a Carnival street party, with “cão,” the word for dog. For more than two decades, the event has brought together animal lovers who celebrate alongside their pets while advocating for responsible care and protection of animals.
Marco Antonio Marinho, the 72-year-old chief organiser of the event, described dogs as integral members of families and emphasized that the celebration was designed to include them in moments of happiness. He explained that pets share emotional bonds with their owners, offering comfort during difficult times, and therefore deserve to participate in joyful occasions as well. Organisers took special precautions to ensure the animals’ safety, providing water stations and shaded resting areas so the dogs could remain hydrated and protected throughout the two-hour celebration.
A dedicated hydration station helped maintain the animals’ energy levels, while passing motorists—known locally as cariocas, the term used for Rio residents—showed support by honking their horns as they drove by. In earlier editions of Blocão, dogs would parade through the streets, but organisers modified the format after concerns arose about hot pavement burning the animals’ paws, choosing instead to keep activities within a shaded square.
This year’s event also carried a solemn note. Participants waved white ribbons and sang in tribute to Orelha, a dog whose death in southern Brazil earlier this year sparked nationwide outrage. The case drew widespread attention after allegations that a teenager fatally abused the animal. Police in Santa Catarina state charged a 15-year-old in connection with the incident and recommended that the case proceed under the juvenile justice system, though a judge has yet to issue a final ruling. The teenager’s lawyer has denied the accusations.
For many attendees, the tragedy served as a motivation to participate. Natalia Reis, 28, attended Blocão for the first time with her 11-year-old dog, Theo, partly in response to the incident. She became emotional as organisers addressed the crowd about the importance of preventing cruelty toward animals and strengthening public awareness. Reis said the case highlighted how such violence could affect anyone and stressed the need for accountability and stronger protection for pets.
Blending Carnival’s festive spirit with advocacy, the gathering reflected both celebration and solidarity, demonstrating how cultural events in Rio can also serve as platforms for social causes. By combining music, costumes, and community participation with calls for animal welfare, Blocão once again highlighted the deep emotional connection between Brazilians and their pets while promoting compassion and responsibility toward animals.
