RIO DE JANEIRO – Most pre-Carnival street parties in Brazil are all about samba, but the moves on display at Sunday’s Blocao parade were focused more on wagging and sniffing than on fancy footwork.

Hundreds of decked-out dogs – and a few brave cats – got in on the Carnival fun at Rio de Janeiro’s annual pet-friendly parade: Labradors in pink tutus or engineers’ overalls cavorted with Maltese terriers with fairy wings, and poodles in superheroes’ capes sniffed sausage dogs dressed up as Salome, with sequin-covered harem pants.

Carnival is perhaps the defining moment in Brazilian life, and the annual Blocao – a play on the word for street party, “bloco,” and dog, or “cao” – allows four-legged family members a chance to take part in the fun.

“The animal excitement is taking over Copacabana,” said Blocao organizer Marco Antonio Toto. “The neighborhood of Copacabana has currently the most dog owners per square meter. It deserves this prestigious party. Our animals deserve this celebration.”