Monte Alto Raid Exposes Illegal Cat-Blood Operation as Police Pursue Supply-Chain Leads

Overview

• A WhatsApp post offering R$50 per cat prompted a tip that led guards to a Monte Alto home on Oct. 4 where at least six cats were found unconscious.
• Five people were taken to a police station, and after custody hearings only veterinary student Cleiton Fernando Torres remains jailed while others were released.
• Municipal veterinarians rescued the animals and have tested three so far, with one female confirmed positive for feline immunodeficiency virus as additional tests proceed.
• Police registered an animal-abuse case, seized vials and collection equipment, and sent the material for forensic analysis.
• Suspects told officers they freelanced for a clinic in São José do Rio Preto, while the cited clinic Hemoser says veterinary blood banks are lawful as the inquiry continues.