legal advice
from law to lasting change: humane, data driven policy for the Galápagos
Strong laws are the foundation for lasting coexistence between people, animals, and the environment. In the Galápagos Islands, Animal Balance partners with local governments (GADs) to design and implement urban fauna ordinances that both safeguard native wildlife and promote responsible pet guardianship.
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Our legislative work builds clear, enforceable, and context-specific regulations—covering mandatory sterilization, microchip identification, vaccination, restrictions on pet sales, and responsible handling in public spaces. But beyond the technical language, our goal is to embed compassion into the law, replacing lethal control methods with humane strategies that protect life, preserve biodiversity, and strengthen community trust.
Every ordinance we help create is guided by science. Through our comprehensive pet census, we collect precise, neighborhood-level data that enables authorities to target interventions, allocate resources efficiently, and measure results over time. This evidence-based approach ensures policies are not only ethical, but also effective and adaptable to the islands’ evolving needs.​
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Laws on paper only work if they are understood and embraced. That’s why we pair every legislative effort with community education—simplifying complex regulations into practical actions through workshops, school programs, and creative public campaigns. In doing so, we transform policy into everyday practice, fostering a shared responsibility for the Galápagos’ unique socio-ecosystem.
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By uniting compassion, data, and community engagement under a strong legal framework, Animal Balance ensures that urban fauna management becomes a sustainable, community-owned solution—protecting the islands’ extraordinary biodiversity for generations to come.