Introduction: Sporotrichosis is a mycosis caused by the Sporothrix spp. complex. In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, an epidemic is being described in humans, cats and dogs, with most of cases related to zoonotic transmission from cats. Veterinarians, veterinary nurses, caretakers and owners of cats with sporotrichosis are considered risk groups. Methods: Data included in this retrospective cohort study came from the INI/Fiocruz database from 1998 to 2010. Results: 45 cases of sporotrichosis related to veterinary practice were identified. Most of patients (55.6%) were female with a median age of 33 years. Among the activities related to contact with sick cats, the veterinarians (46.7%), their assistants (24.4%) and students (6.7%) were the most affected. In 86% of them, there was only involvement of the upper limbs. 92.1% of the patients described episodes of scratches (62.2%) or bites (18.9%) from sick cats. A veterinarian and a veterinary student reported having acquired the disease after a needlestick accident and a groomer became sick after contacting an apparently healthy cat. Conclusion: These results should alert professionals to the marked occupational exposure risk of veterinary practice and emphasize the importance of good clinical practice procedures in the veterinary routine, even in cases in which sporotrichosis is not suspected.