Transformações das sensibilidades na relação humanos-animais: proteção animal, mediação e institucionalização na cidade do Recife-PE

Abstract

The aim of this study is to comprehend ethnographically animal protection movement at the city of Recife through an investigation of collective mobilizations that have the purpose of promoting rights, welfare and protection for animals. Assuming that the State must also be responsible for the management of the lives of animals, some protectors have undertaken part of their efforts to claim public policies for animals, especially for street dogs and cats. Faced with this, also arises the need to understand how the demand for animal rights has been inserted within the sphere of public administration, from the creation of public agencies of the executive power, like the Executive Secretariat of Animal Rights of the City Hall of Recife (Pernambuco federal state), as well as public services and urban equipment, such as the Public Veterinary Hospital, vaccination campaigns and parks for puppies. Under this set of facts, some authors have argued that such mobilizations are directly related to the transformation on humans-animals relationships, something that is increasingly contributing to bring animals into the sphere of human moral concern. Where and how these transformations in sensitivities are produced, as well as their relation to the specific cultural dynamics of contemporaneity, are questions pursued in the development of this thesis.