Instituto Caramelo

Instituto Caramelo (legally Instituto Caramelo de Assistência aos Animais) was founded in February 2015 to rescue injured, abandoned and at-risk animals, give them full veterinary treatment and find them responsible homes. The organisation was previously known as Instituto Luisa Mell and was renamed in 2023, keeping the same shelter, team and work.

The shelter sits on a 27,000 square-metre site in Ribeirão Pires, in Greater São Paulo, and is home to around 300 rescued dogs and cats. Facilities include a surgical centre with 24-hour veterinary care, a physiotherapy unit, behavioural training, five exercise areas, 35 kennels and four cat enclosures, run by a team of more than 40 staff. Every rescued animal follows the same path — rescue, hospital treatment, a ten-day quarantine, then neutering, vaccination and adoption.

In 2025 the institute rescued 342 animals and completed 315 adoptions, and it holds regular adoption events around São Paulo. It also runs neutering campaigns and campaigns for stronger animal-protection policies. In 2026 one of its rescued dogs, Mixirica, featured on a Brazilian postage stamp issued by Correios.

Running the shelter costs around R$300,000 a month, funded by donations, partnerships and shop sales. Instituto Caramelo is registered in Brazil under CNPJ 21.877.796/0001-35 and accepts donations directly through its website.