Animal carnival in Rio de Janeiro - in pictures

People and their pets crowd to the annual 'Blocao' animal carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Photograph: Silvia Izquierdo/AP A well-dressed dog takes part in the parade on Copacabana beach Photograph: Christophe Simon/AFP/Getty Images Like dog, like owner: what was that about people looking like their pets? Photograph: Christophe Simon/AFP/Getty Images A cat with a hat joins the parade too Photograph: Christophe Simon/AFP/Getty Images Fancy dressed dogs queue up on Copacabana sidewalk Photograph: Christophe Simon/AFP/Getty Images An owner shows off her bewitching canine friend Photograph: Christophe Simon/AFP/Getty Images This cat has evidently chosen its costume for comfort Photograph: Christophe Simon/AFP/Getty Images Two dogs sporting matching motorcycle helmets Photograph: Christophe Simon/AFP/Getty Images What a hero: a fancy-dressed dog takes 'superhuman' to new levels Photograph: Christophe Simon/AFP/Getty Images More colourful costumes on the Copacabana Photograph: Christophe Simon/AFP/Getty Images Coordinated dog owners compete with their pet for attention Photograph: Christophe Simon/AFP/Getty Images An older participant has seen it all before Photograph: Christophe Simon/AFP/Getty Images