Stranded horse “Caramelo” rescued after online frenzy

By TBR Newsroom

Rescue efforts are ongoing in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil’s southernmost state, after floods and landslides left at least 100 people dead and displaced more than 200,000. As well as local residents, rescue groups have also dedicated themselves to saving pets stranded on rooftops and in flooded homes. No animal rescue, however, was followed more closely than the saga of a horse stuck on a roof in the severely affected city of Canoas.

Named by social media users due to its brown coat, the drama of “Caramelo” the horse made international headlines, and its eventual rescue was followed closely online and beamed live on cable TV news channels. The horse was taken off the roof on Thursday morning, thanks to a crew of firefighters using a Brazilian Army helicopter.

The stranded horse caught the attention of digital influencer Felipe Neto, one of the most famous social media personalities in Brazil, and First Lady Rosângela “Janja” da Silva. 

Mr. Neto has been active on his social media channels during the Rio Grande do Sul floods, donating millions of reais in supplies as well as hundreds of water purifiers.

Janja posted on social media that she had contacted Southern Army Commander Hertz Pires do Nascimento to arrange for troops to arrive in Canoas to rescue the horse.

“Brazil loves you, Caramelo,” Felipe Neto tweeted after the rescue was completed.

There is no further information on the animal’s condition, although rescuers started to treat it immediately after removing it from the rooftop. The horse was reportedly sedated in order to be transported to a lifeboat.

“Horse on the rooftop” became one of the most searched topics on Google in Brazil and the top trending topic on social network X (formerly known as Twitter).

Several shelters have been accepting rescued animals from all across the state, gathering the effort of veterinarians, volunteers, and caregivers.

Through social media, people across Brazil have encouraged the shipping of veterinary medicine, food, and safety items (such as cat and dog transport boxes, leashes, and surgical collars). 

• Find out how to donate to different animal shelters here. 
• You can also learn how to give your contribution by accessing this link: Donate to victims of Brazil floods from abroad

• #floods
• #rioGrandeDoSul