GRAD BRASIL

What GRAD BRASIL does

GRAD Brasil (Grupo de Resposta a Animais em Desastres) is a Brazilian nonprofit humanitarian organization specializing in veterinary disaster response. Founded operationally by 2012 (with its first documented major operation in Rio Branco, Acre), GRAD conducts animal rescue, clinical care, shelter management, and humanitarian aid during floods, wildfires, droughts, landslides, health emergencies, and dam collapses, serving multispecies families, indigenous communities, and other vulnerable populations across Brazil and, increasingly, internationally (Venezuela, Mozambique). Since inception, the organization has executed over 100 operations, assisted more than 50,000 animals, and supported over 20,000 multispecies families.

GRAD's operations are built on three proprietary conceptual frameworks: One Health (Saúde Única), Collective Veterinary Medicine (Medicina Veterinária do Coletivo), and Disaster Veterinary Medicine. All missions are coordinated using the Incident Command System (Sistema de Comando do Incidente), ensuring interoperability with Brazilian federal and state agencies. Field operations use camera traps for wildlife monitoring, georeferenced mapping for water-point identification, and aviation coordination (Brazilian Navy helicopters, FAB aircraft, LATAM logistics) for food and water drops in remote areas. Notable operational benchmarks include the Pantanal/MT 2020 wildfire response (14 volunteers, 43 days, 30,000+ km driven, 20 tonnes of food and 136,000+ litres of water distributed) and the Rio Grande do Sul May 2024 flood response (65+ team members, 6+ months, 5,000+ animals assisted, reduction of sheltered animal population from ~20,000 to ~3,000 through adoption campaigns).

GRAD is funded entirely through donations from individuals and corporate sponsors (Petz, Itaú, Unilever, Adimax, Hospital Albert Einstein, LATAM Airlines, Fondazione Capellini, Superbet, Teads), in-kind and operational support from government institutions (IBAMA, ICMBio, Fiocruz, UFRGS, state and municipal bodies), and fee-based professional training courses (including a Wild Animal Handling Course scheduled for September 2026). The organization maintains a permanent staff of approximately 5 supplemented by 2–65+ field volunteers per operation, and has no parent company, no disclosed funding rounds, and no commercial shareholders. Its go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, with awareness and donor acquisition primarily through Instagram (@grad_brasil), its website, and in-person training events.

Name

GRAD BRASIL

Legal name

GRAD - Grupo de Resposta a Animais em Desastres

Website

https://gradbrasil.org.br

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

GRAD Brasil is a Brazilian nonprofit specializing in veterinary disaster response, deploying volunteer teams to rescue animals and assist multispecies families during floods, wildfires, droughts, and health emergencies across Brazil, Venezuela, and Mozambique, funded by donations, corporate sponsors, and training course fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disaster Animal Response Services

NAICS

Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)

akta.pro primary industry

Disaster Preparedness & Animal Evacuation Services (BPAGAIAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disaster Relief & Humanitarian Aid Volunteering (EDAIAGAF), Disaster Response & Search and Rescue (SAR) (BPADADAA), Disaster Recovery, Reconstruction & Resilience Programs (BPAGAAAK)

Keywords

• Disaster animal rescue
• Veterinary humanitarian aid
• Wildlife response operations
• Disaster veterinary medicine
• Multispecies family assistance

Headquarters

HQ city

Not specified in sources

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: GRAD raises funds from individual donors via its website, offering donation options for supporting ongoing missions and specific operations (e.g., Venezuela mission).
2. Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships: Companies such as Petz, Adimax, Itaú, Unilever, and others provide financial and in-kind support for operations.
3. Government and Institutional Partnerships: Support from government bodies (IBAMA, ICMBio, state governments, fire departments) and institutions (Fiocruz, UFRGS) through operational collaboration and resources.
4. Training Course Revenue: GRAD offers in-person training courses for new members and the public on wild animal handling and disaster response (e.g., 'Curso de Manejo de Animais Selvagens' with José Roberto in September 2026).

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

GRAD Brasil is a Brazilian nonprofit humanitarian organization that provides disaster animal response services, including animal rescue, veterinary care, shelter management, and humanitarian aid during floods, wildfires, droughts, and other emergencies. The organization also delivers training courses on wild animal handling and operates a volunteer network supported by individual donations and corporate partnerships.

Product overview

GRAD Brasil (Grupo de Resposta a Animais em Desastres) is a nonprofit disaster animal response organization offering humanitarian services rather than a technology product platform. The organization's offerings consist of core operational services including animal rescue during disasters, multispecies family assistance, and humanitarian aid to vulnerable communities. Educational offerings include wild animal handling courses and volunteer training programs. The organization does not operate a software platform or digital product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Animal Rescue in Disasters Service Free disaster response service providing animal rescue, evacuation, shelter management, and veterinary care during floods, wildfires, droughts, landslides, and other emergencies affecting domestic and wild animals in Brazil.
• Multispecies Family Assistance Support service for households keeping multiple animal species (pets, livestock, poultry) impacted by extreme climate events and humanitarian crises, including veterinary care, supplies, and shelter coordination.
• Humanitarian Aid to Vulnerable Communities Veterinary clinical care, sanitary protocols, and technical humanitarian support delivered to indigenous peoples, quilombola communities, and other isolated populations lacking access to veterinary services.
• Wild Animal Handling Course (Curso de Manejo de Animais Selvagens) In-person professional training course on wild animal handling and disaster response, delivered by instructor José Roberto for veterinarians, biologists, and emergency responders.
• Volunteer Training Program In-person training program for new volunteer members on disaster response, multispecies family care, and the One Health framework, enabling recruits to deploy on GRAD's humanitarian missions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100+ disaster operations conducted across Brazil and internationally
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

67 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Hospital Albert EinsteincoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2024Partner in the Rio Grande do Sul May 2024 flooding operation, providing support for animal shelter management and humanitarian response.
• LATAM AirlinescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAviation support for transporting rescue teams and equipment to disaster zones. Partnered in Yanomami/RR 2023 and Tefé/AM 2023 operations.
• IBAMA (Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrazil's federal environmental agency, partnered in Rio Grande do Sul 2024 and Pantanal operations.
• ICMBio (Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal biodiversity conservation agency, partnered for Pantanal 2020 and Pantanal July 2024 operations involving wildlife monitoring and water supply.
• Marinha do Brasil (Brazilian Navy)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided helicopter support for the Pantanal 2020 operation, including georeferencing of water points and food drops for animals.
• UFRGS (Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAcademic partner in Rio Grande do Sul 2024 flooding operation, providing research and technical support.
• Fiocruz (Fundação Oswaldo Cruz)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnered in Yanomami/RR 2023 and Aldeia Pataxó Hãhãhã/MG 2023 operations for laboratory analysis of biological samples.
• GADE (Grupo de Ações e Desastres Especiais)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecial disaster actions group, core operational partner in Rio Grande do Sul May 2024 flooding response.
• PetzminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor Brazilian pet retail chain, supporter/logo partner on GRAD website, provided support in Rio Grande do Sul operations.
• PetloveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBrazilian online pet store, logo partner supporting GRAD operations.
• Itaú UnibancominorGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor Brazilian bank, supporter of Rio Grande do Sul 2024 flooding operations.
• Adimax (Pet Food)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPet food manufacturer supporter in Rio Grande do Sul operations and other missions.
• FAB (Força Aérea Brasileira / Brazilian Air Force)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrazilian Air Force, supported Rio Grande do Sul 2024 operations with aerial transport and logistics.
• Polícia Ambiental (Environmental Police)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental police force partnered in Rio Grande do Sul 2024 operations.
• Brigada Militar do RS (Military Brigade of Rio Grande do Sul)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState military brigade partnered in Rio Grande do Sul 2024 operations.
• Força Nacional (National Force)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrazilian federal security force partnered in Pantanal 2020 operation, covering Quadrant 1 of the operation area.
• Corpo de Bombeiros Militar do Estado de Mato Grosso (CBMMT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMato Grosso state fire department, partnered in Pantanal 2020 operation covering Quadrant 1.
• Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso (UFMT)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFederal university that received rescued animals and provided academic support during Pantanal 2020 operation.
• Ampara SilvestreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWildlife rescue NGO, partner in Pantanal 2020 operation covering Quadrant 5 and other areas.
• Instituto Luisa MellminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnimal protection NGO, partner in Pantanal 2020 operation.
• DSEI (Distrito Sanitário Especial Indígena / Special Indigenous Health District)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndigenous health district, partnered in Yanomami/RR 2023 operation for veterinary care to indigenous communities.
• Exército Brasileiro (Brazilian Army)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrazilian Army supported Yanomami/RR 2023 operation with logistics and transport.
• UFRR (Universidade Federal de Roraima)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFederal university in Roraima received blood samples for laboratory analysis during Yanomami 2023 operation.
• CRMV RR (Conselho Regional de Medicina Veterinária de Roraima)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRegional veterinary council partner in Yanomami 2023 operation.
• Instituto Mamirauá (IDSM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainable development institute coordinating the Tefé/AM 2023 dolphin mortality response. GRAD was invited to support the operation coordinated by Dr. Miriam Marmontel.
• WWF-BrasilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation organization, partnered in Tefé/AM 2023 dolphin rescue operation.
• ICMBio (Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered in Tefé/AM 2023 operation for river dolphin rescue and monitoring.
• R3 AnimalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarine mammal rescue organization, partnered in Tefé/AM 2023 operation.
• AquasisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAquatic species conservation NGO, partnered in Tefé/AM 2023 operation.
• Instituto Baleia JubarteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWhale research institute, partnered in Tefé/AM 2023 operation.
• Sea Shepherd BrasilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarine conservation organization, partnered in Tefé/AM 2023 operation.
• Lapcom-USP (Laboratório de Mamíferos Aquáticos - USP)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerUSP aquatic mammals lab, partnered in Tefé/AM 2023 operation for research and analysis.
• FindMeSpotminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSatellite tracking and communication equipment provider, supporter/logo partner on GRAD website.
• TecsaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate supporter/logo partner on GRAD website.
• Instituto PremierPetminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate social responsibility arm of Premier Pet, supporter/logo partner on GRAD website.
• ZooTech OnlineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate supporter/logo partner on GRAD website.
• CRMV-RS (Conselho Regional de Medicina Veterinária do Rio Grande do Sul)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRegional veterinary council partner in Rio Grande do Sul June 2023 operation.
• Centro de Controle de Zoonoses de São SebastiãocoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMunicipal zoonosis control center, partnered in North São Paulo Littoral 2023 operation for animal rescue and shelter.
• CRMV SP (Conselho Regional de Medicina Veterinária de São Paulo)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRegional veterinary council partner in North São Paulo Littoral 2023 operation.
• Pet LoveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBrazilian online pet retailer, partner in North São Paulo Littoral 2023 operation.
• Corpo de Bombeiros Militar de Santa CatarinacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSanta Catarina state fire department, partnered in Presidente Getúlio/SC 2021 operation.
• ONG Missão Gralha AzulminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal NGO partner in Presidente Getúlio/SC 2021 operation.
• OnçafariminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWildlife research NGO, partnered in Pantanal July 2024 drought and fire operation.
• PantheraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal wild cat conservation organization, partnered in Pantanal July 2024 operation.
• Pousada Jaguar CampminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLodge in the Pantanal that partnered in Pantanal July 2024 operation.
• PUC MinasminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais, biomedical science students partnered in Aldeia Pataxó Hãhãhã 2023 operation.
• Funed (Fundação Ezequiel Dias)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMinas Gerais health foundation, received blood samples for analysis during Aldeia Pataxó Hãhãhã 2023 operation.
• Universidade Federal do Acre (UFAC)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFederal university of Acre, partnered in Rio Branco/AC 2012 operation.
• Centro de Controle de Zoonoses (CCZ) de Rio BrancocoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMunicipal zoonosis center that sheltered rescued animals during Rio Branco/AC 2012 flooding operation.
• Veterinários na EstradaminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRoadside veterinary initiative, partnered in Rio Branco/AC 2012 operation.
• UnileverminorGTM or Marketing PartnerConsumer goods company, supporter of Rio Grande do Sul 2024 flooding operations.
• SuperbetminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBetting company, supporter of Rio Grande do Sul 2024 operations.
• TeadsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDigital advertising company, supporter of Rio Grande do Sul 2024 operations.
• Fondazione CapelliniminorGTM or Marketing PartnerItalian foundation, supporter of Rio Grande do Sul 2024 operations.
• ArcanimalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnimal rescue organization, partner in Rio Grande do Sul 2024 operations.
• SPOT BrasilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnimal welfare organization, partner in Rio Grande do Sul 2024 operations.
• Polícia FederalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal police, partner in Rio Grande do Sul 2024 operations.
• SOS NazáriominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnimal welfare organization, partner in Rio Grande do Sul operations.
• Instituto CaramelominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnimal rescue NGO, partner in Rio Grande do Sul 2024 operations.
• SEMA RS (Secretaria do Meio Ambiente do Rio Grande do Sul)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRio Grande do Sul state environmental secretariat, partner in 2024 flooding operations.
• Prefeitura Municipal de Rio BrancocoreOthersMunicipal government of Rio Branco, AC, partnered in 2012 flooding operation.
• Governo do Estado de Mato GrossocoreOthersState government of Mato Grosso, partnered in Pantanal 2020 wildfire operation.
• Prefeituras Municipais (Various Municipal Governments)coreOthersVarious municipal governments partnered in Rio Grande do Sul operations and other missions.
• Defesa Civil Estadual do PiauícoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPiauí state civil defense, partnered in Picos/PI January 2025 flooding operation.
• CCZ Picos (Centro de Controle de Zoonoses)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMunicipal zoonosis center in Picos, partnered in January 2025 flooding operation.
• ONG ApapicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal NGO in Picos, PI that received animals displaced by flooding and partnered in the January 2025 operation.
• Secretaria Municipal de Saúde de PicoscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMunicipal health secretariat of Picos, partnered in January 2025 flooding operation.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Four Paws: International animal welfare organization operating disaster and emergency response programs for animals alongside wild animal sanctuary work. Comparable to GRAD in combining One Health–style field operations with cross-border emergency mobilization.
• IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare): Global nonprofit specializing in animal rescue, welfare, and disaster response (e.g., its own Animal Rescue program). IFAW is the closest international comparable — also combining field rescue operations, veterinary care, and government partnerships — and directly competes for the same institutional and corporate donor pool.
• Veterinarians Without Borders / Vétérinaires Sans Frontières: Federation of veterinary NGOs delivering animal health services in disaster, conflict, and vulnerable-community contexts worldwide. Closely mirrors GRAD's 'Collective Veterinary Medicine' approach to humanitarian veterinary response.
• Humane Society International: Global arm of The Humane Society operating animal rescue, disaster response, and wildlife protection programs. Overlaps with GRAD's animal welfare and disaster response mission and competes for corporate and foundation funding.

Regional players

• Instituto Luisa Mell: High-profile Brazilian animal protection NGO, also a GRAD partner in Pantanal 2020. Comparable as a domestic animal welfare operator competing for similar donors and visibility.
• Ampara Silvestre: Brazilian NGO focused on wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, a direct GRAD operational partner in Pantanal 2020. Comparable as a Brazilian wildlife-rescue peer with shared field protocols.

Emerging players

• WWF-Brasil: Brazilian branch of WWF, which has partnered with GRAD on the Tefé/AM 2023 dolphin rescue and other wildlife interventions. Comparable on the wildlife conservation and disaster response overlap but with a much broader conservation mandate.

Broad incumbents

• ASPCA: Major US-based animal welfare organization running disaster response, shelter management, and animal rescue programs. Comparable on the animal-disaster-response offering but operating at vastly larger scale and a much broader mandate.
• Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA): Established UK animal welfare charity with disaster response and rescue programs. Comparable on the animal-rescue-in-disasters service line, but operates at much larger scale and with a broader welfare remit.

Others

• ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross): Global humanitarian organization whose disaster response doctrine (including Incident Command System usage referenced by GRAD) directly informs GRAD's operating model. Not a direct competitor on animal welfare but a benchmark for humanitarian operations and a potential cooperation partner.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/grad_brasil
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gradbrasil

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about GRAD BRASIL