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Cultural Recognition Approved in São Paulo Places Popular Expression at the Center of Public Debate on Animal Abandonment, Adoption of Mixed-Breed Dogs, and the Role of Public Authority in Visibility of a Recurring Problem in the State and in the Country.
The São Paulo Legislative Assembly approved, on Tuesday night (December 16), a bill that recognizes the expression “vira-lata caramelo” as of relevant cultural interest for the state.
With the completion of the vote in the plenary, the proposal was forwarded for the governor’s sanction Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicans).
The approved text is the Bill 419/2023, authored by Deputy Rafael Saraiva (União Brasil).
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In justifying the initiative, the parliamentarian stated that the cultural recognition aims to increase the visibility of a recurring theme in public debate: the abandonment of animals and the low adoption rate of mixed-breed dogs in the state and the country.
Bill Approved in Alesp
The proposal does not create administrative obligations nor establish new public policies, such as rules for inspections, allocation of resources, or penalties.
The project is limited to officially recognizing the expression “vira-lata caramelo” as of relevant cultural interest in São Paulo, framing the term as part of the symbolic and social heritage of the state.
After approval in Alesp, the text follows the standard legislative procedure and awaits analysis by the Executive Power.
It is up to the governor to sanction or veto the proposal, in whole or in part.
Until the eventual sanction and publication, the measure does not produce legal effects.
Origin of the Term “Vira-Lata Caramelo” and Popularization
The expression “vira-lata caramelo” has circulated more frequently in recent years, especially on social media and digital content.
The term is used to identify mixed-breed dogs, usually with light fur, that have become recurring in memes and humorous posts.
This expanded usage contributed to associating “caramelo” with a recognizable symbol for a large part of the population.
However, the popularization has not changed the reality faced by these animals outside the digital environment.
Many continue to be abandoned or wait for adoption for long periods.
In defending the project, Saraiva stated that cultural recognition seeks to confront what he classified as aesthetic prejudice against mixed-breed dogs.
According to the deputy, the proposal also aims to encourage adoption and draw attention to animal abandonment.
“Valuing the caramelo is combating aesthetic prejudice, reducing abandonment, and promoting adoption.
We are not just celebrating a known figure adored by the Brazilian people.
We are reaffirming a cause that we have defended with seriousness and commitment for years,” he declared during the proceedings.
Cited Numbers About Abandonment and Adoption of Dogs
During the discussion of the project, the author cited numbers related to the abandonment and adoption of animals in Brazil.
According to the parliamentarian, 81.5% of abandoned animals in the country would be dogs, mostly mixed-breed.
Furthermore, according to Saraiva, dogs with the popularly known “caramelo” profile have up to 90% less chance of adoption compared to other animals.
These data were used as a political argument to support the proposal.
The text of the bill, however, does not detail the origin or methodology used to arrive at these percentages.
The information is only included in the author’s statements throughout the legislative process.
In the same context, the deputy stated that cultural recognition would allow for visibility on an everyday problem.
“Abandonment has a face, and that face is caramelo.
By transforming this symbol into a cultural interest of the State, we shed light on a problem that is real, everyday, and urgent,” he said.
Institutional Impact and Limits of Cultural Recognition
Experts in public policies and animal protection often point out that cultural recognitions have an indirect impact, especially on the public agenda and institutional communication.
In the case of the approved project, there is no provision for the automatic creation of campaigns, adoption programs, or expansion of veterinary services.
Nevertheless, the classification as a cultural interest topic can serve as a basis for future actions.
This development depends on the articulation between government, civil society organizations, and private initiatives.
Independent protectors and hosting entities often report difficulties in caring for rescued animals.
Among the main obstacles are costs with feeding, vaccination, spaying/neutering, and veterinary care, as well as aesthetic criteria adopted by some potential adopters.
The approved project in Alesp was presented as an attempt to insert this debate into the institutional field.
Cultural Symbol and Debate on Animal Abandonment
Over the past years, the “vira-lata caramelo” has come to concentrate different meanings.
In the digital environment, it has become a recurring character associated with humor and popular identification.
Outside of social media, it remains linked to the reality of animals in vulnerable situations.
These animals are subject to risks such as disease, hunger, and accidents.
The debate on animal abandonment generally involves two central axes.
One of them is the responsibility of guardians, which includes responsible custody and reproductive control.
The other is the action of public authorities, with education policies, spaying/neutering, and basic care.
The cultural recognition approved by Alesp fits into this context as a symbolic instrument.
The proposal does not directly alter these fronts.
Governor’s Sanction and Public Debate
With the submission of the project to the Executive, the governor’s sanction becomes the main point of attention.
If sanctioned, the law will reinforce the presence of the “vira-lata caramelo” as an official reference in the state of São Paulo.
However, there are no immediate practical obligations created.
The discussion reignites a frequent topic among public managers and animal protection entities.
The agenda involves the continuous expansion of mixed-breed dog adoption and the reduction of abandonment.
This debate often goes beyond isolated campaigns or symbolic dates.
If cultural recognition increases the visibility of the problem, how can we transform this institutional space into concrete actions capable of changing the reality of animals that remain on the streets?
Os animais abandonados precisam, urgentemente, são de ações EFETIVAS junto às ONGs e protetores independentes! O descaso com esses animais e a INDIFERENÇA, quase um DESPREZO aos protetores e ONGs LOTADAS, mostra o real cenário de ABANDONO DOS ANIMAIS E DOS QUE OS RESGATAM, pelo poder público! São inúmeros animais abandonados e doentes todos os dias e nós já não temos para onde correr, pedir ajuda, se humilhar diariamente nas redes a pedi para, pelo menos, encher a barriguinha deles. Protetores: espaços físicos lotados, endividados, muitos morando precariamente, pois tudo que tem vão para os animais, muitos de nós em depressão, doentes, em insegurança alimentar, resumindo: EM DESESPERO! Não adianta vir com castração somente, e ainda, para aqueles que tem inscrição em CadÚnico. Protetores também trabalham, tem salários, mas são insuficientes para dar atendimento ao grande número de animais e sustentar nossas famílias tb. Hospitais veterinários inúteis, pois não há internação, especialistas, ficam longe, tem que tirar ficha e passar um dia inteiro aguardando e somente para baixa renda. Não tem como, gente! Quantos animais ainda terão que sofrer maus tratos, ser abandonados, passarem fome, frio, calor, adoecer nas ruas para que o PODER PÚBLICO DE ATENÇÃO EFETIVA A ESSES ANIMAIS? Quantos de NÓS, PROTETORES, ainda iremos adoecer fisicamente, mentalmente e nos suicidar por conta do desespero de não conseguir ajuda para ajudar os animais? Sim, está acontecendo. Sabe pq? ESTAMOS EXAUSTOS, nossa vida é cuidar, é pedir por eles 24h/dia. Pq o Poder Público está kgando pra nós? Pq cuidar de animais em maus tratos e abndonados, não dá dinheiro para os cofres públicos, dá despesas, então, eles fazem o mínimo e deixam o máximo, para nós, os protetores independentes que estão tão abandonados quanto os nossos resgatados. PRECISAMOS DE AJUDA! PRECISAMOS DE SOCORRO! PRECISAMOS DE AUXÍLIO! Estamos vivendo o abandono junto aos animais abandonados! SOCORRO! 🥺🥺
Uma sociedade só mostra sua evolução com o respeito aos animais. Parabéns ao deputado. Que o projeto seja sancionado e que venham outros contra a crueldade praticada por seres humanos sem noção!
O Brasil possui dezenas de raças de animais (inclusive cães) de interesse cultural
e econômico e muitos ligados à segurança alimentar que passam longe de qualquer interesse de pesquisa e reconhecimento por parte das autoridades. Estes políticos são tão sem noção que não ficaria surpreso se considerassem o javali invasor como patrimônio do Brasil.