Law No. 11.096 establishing the New State Animal Rights Code in the State of Rio de Janeiro.

This Law establishes the New State Animal Rights Code in the State of Rio de Janeiro, as an instrument to guide the formulation and execution of public policies related to animal rights in the State and to set guidelines for procedures. The central objective of consolidating a comprehensive legal framework that recognizes animals as conscious and sentient beings, deserving of dignity, protection, and access to justice. It seeks to guide public policies related to animal welfare, defining fundamental rights such as adequate food, shelter, veterinary care, freedom of movement, and protection against suffering, cruelty, and abuse. The Code also introduces clear principles such as the universal protection of all sentient animals, community participation in policymaking, and the prioritization of alternatives that replace the use of animals in human activities, particularly in research and teaching.
Another core objective is to regulate, in detail, human–animal interactions across diverse contexts, such as: domiciled, wild, community, stray, laboratory, and those animals used for economic or transport purposes. It establishes obligations for the State, animal guardians, commercial establishments, and institutions involved with animals, emphasizing responsible guardianship, population control through humane methods, prohibitions on cruel practices, and strict rules for transport, experimentation, and euthanasia. The Law also introduces mechanisms for enforcement and accountability, including penalties, public policies for free veterinary services, strategic partnerships, and other prohibitions, ensuring that animal protection becomes a structured, enforceable, and socially shared responsibility within the State of Rio de Janeiro.