Based on the island of Santa Cruz is our Galapagos Animal Doctor clinic. This has become a hub for providing expert care to domestic animals, training local and international veterinary students, and running outreach clinics to provide accessible care. In 2023, we expanded our work onto mainland Ecuador. Across the Andes, we’re working with Indigenous communities near protected areas - combining student training with community engagement - to reduce wildlife conflict, improve public health, and strengthen long-term veterinary capacity.
In 2025, our teams across Ecuador treated over 12,000 animals with life-changing care. Keep reading to find out more about our work in Ecuador and updates on our recent campaigns.
Conservation through veterinary care
Ecuador is home to diverse and unique wildlife, from the Andea Condor to the Spectacled Bear. The Andes and the Galapagos Islands remain an important area for the conservation of wildlife species. Wildlife is under threat from a rapidly growing domestic animal population, who are disrupting ecosystems, introducing diseases and causing habitats to become overwhelmed and overpopulated. The lack of access to veterinary care is also causing hardship for companion animals, with many unable to access vital treatment.
We are working to change this. Through providing accessible care to communities, including spay/neuter surgeries and vaccination, we can create healthier, happier and more stable domestic animal populations, which also protects the unique wildlife of Ecuador.
How we help:
Veterinary care:
Through our clinic and outreach projects on the Galapagos Islands and our mobile clinics on the mainland, we provide crucial care to animals in need. Every animal deserves access to high quality care, and our team go above and beyond to create a brighter and healthier future for every patient.
Veterinary training:
Veterinary students join us at our clinic and outreach projects, and we work with local universities to provide high-quality training opportunities. By engaging with students, we can raise the standard of care in Ecuador, ensuring every animal no matter where they are, has access to a trained veterinary professional.
Sterilisation:
A vital part of our mission is to control the rate of domestic animal population growth and reduce their encroachment on protected habitats through sterilisation. We regularly run sterilisation campaigns in areas where conflict between domestic animals and wildlife is common.
Bellavista outreach
The Galapagos Island is home to all types of wildlife who live side by side, from tortoises and seals to iguanas and flamingos. Sadly, this wildlife is under threat from companion animals who disrupt the ecosystem and spread diseases and parasitises.
The highland town of Bellavista on Santa Cruz Island received a series of mobile visits and a sterilisation campaign at the end of 2025. We first completed a mobile clinic visit to assess the overall health of animals in the area with our team conducting clinical examinations, along with deworming treatments.
We completed 74 sterilisations during a four-day campaign, helping to create a healthier domestic animal population. The team also engaged with local pet owners, highlighting the benefits of sterilisation and responsible ownership to protect both pets and wildlife. We identified many owners who had difficulty bringing their animals for sterilisation and our team made sure to support them with animal transportation. This was followed up by another visit to conduct post-operative checks and further engage with the community. This has been a powerful tool in creating trust with the local people.
South Mulalo sterilisation campaign
Mulalo is a rural parish and town in Cotopaxi region, in the Andes of Northern Ecuador. This area borders the Cotopaxi National Park, which is home to Andean wildlife, including condors, foxes, and the Andean bear. The growing domestic animal population and the proximity to the National Park has resulted in human-animal-wildlife conflict.
Our first campaign of 2026 was a sterilisation campaign at Joseguango Alto community centre in Mulalo. Before the campaign began, our teams travelled to the area to provide care through our mobile clinic. We talked to community members about any health concerns they had about their animals and provided any immediate care needed. Our mobile clinics also ensure that we can engage with communities and build trust. We informed owners about our upcoming campaign to encourage them to bring their pets forward for surgery.
During the campaign, animals from across Mulalo were brought forward for spay/neuter surgeries, which highlighted the demand for such services in the area. Our team, along with local volunteers and veterinarians, and veterinary students from Universidad International del Ecuador (UIDE), sterilised 170 animals over this four-day campaign. Students rotated throughout all key stations to gain invaluable practical experience with all aspects of surgery.
Life-changing care for Luna
Luna, a 1-year-old cat, was brought to our Galapagos clinic with a history of vomiting. Our team got straight to work, and a physical examination revealed abdominal pain and swelling. An ultrasound showed foreign bodies within her small intestines, which were nylon and cotton threads. These had caused a blockage, resulting in a lot of pain and discomfort for Luna.
These needed to be surgically removed to prevent Luna’s health from deteriorating. Thankfully, the surgery was a success, and Luna has since recovered well, with a follow-up examination showing no signs for concern. We are so happy Luna was able to access this care in her time of need.
Join our mission in Ecuador
Galapagos Animal Doctors
All year round, volunteers can join us at our clinic on the Galapagos Island, where you can support with providing these crucial services in this unique and wonderful part of the world. We still have dates available for 2026, discover more and apply today.
Andes sterilisation campaigns
Throughout the year we have volunteering opportunities to join us in the Andes for a sterilisation campaign, where you can support with providing this crucial veterinary service, along with training local veterinary students. Find out more and apply.
