In Tupã, Brazil, the Animal Protection and Welfare Sub-Secretariat has launched a dog census aimed at identifying and monitoring the health of canines in the area. This initiative includes the collection of blood samples from dogs for testing leishmaniasis, a serious infectious disease transmitted by the phlebotomine sandfly. The program seeks to enhance public health measures against zoonotic diseases and promote the well-being of animals.

The dog census began in the Jamil Dualibi housing complex, where municipal teams are going door to door to assess the dog population and gather blood samples. The samples collected are sent to the Adolfo Lutz Institute in Marília, which specializes in diagnostic laboratory services. By conducting these tests, officials hope to identify and contain any potential outbreak of leishmaniasis before it escalates within the community.

In addition to the blood collection from pets, environmental surveys are also being conducted in the visited homes. Teams check the backyards of properties, even if they do not have dogs, to identify conditions conducive to the breeding of the sandfly, which is responsible for spreading the disease. This comprehensive approach is part of a broader public health initiative to address the interconnection between animal welfare and human health in Tupã.