Summer 2010

Humane Education

We gave humane education presentations at schools on San Cristobal and Santa Cruz.  At the Alvear School on San Cristobal, and Gallo Plasso on Santa Cruz we presented to the elementary school children about the importance of taking care of pet dogs and cats, as well as being kind to wildlife.

To the older students at Alvear and Colegio Cazares and the GAIA Institute, we gave a longer and more in-depth presentation on the history of introduced species, the problems dogs and cats pose to native wildlife and what can be done to prevent dogs and cats from preying on iguanas, tortoises, and birds.  Our presentations at all four schools were very well-recieved and the students had great comments and questions. Students at the Alvear School encouraged us to talk to their parents and other adults about the dangers of illegally importing purebred dogs into San Cristobal.  Many were also unaware that they could adopt a dog from CIMEI and were excited to find out they could. In response, CIMEI is making a booklet so people can find out what dogs and cats are available for adoption.

We couldn’t have done the humane education presentations without the help of Renato Herrera, Director of CIMEI-San Cristobal; Cecilia Alvear, Maria Navarro, Monica Morgado and last but far from least, Frank Hurtado.

Corbada’s Fence

Corbada’s owners didn’t want to chain him up but didn’t know what else to do.  They didn’t have enough money for a fence and Corbada had run away many times.  Although it wasn’t best for Corbada, his owners were actually trying to be responsible by chaining him in the yard. They were thrilled when we approached them about building a fence for Corbada.  Although Corbada was reserved and not particularly friendly when volunteers first arrived to begin building, within a few hours he warmed up to us, within a day he was affectionately playing with the volunteers and by the end of the two-day build he was happily enjoying his new found freedom and running around in his new yard.

It was difficult to tell who was happiest about the fence. GPS, Corbada, his owners, and the neighbors were all very pleased. This was our first of many fences to come and is dedicated to Larry Richman, an outstanding veterinarian and dedicated member of the GPS Board of Directors, as well as Joy Temme a generous supporter of GPS, both of whom donated the money GPS needed to buy the fencing supplies.  The fence could not have been built without the help of Vince Baker, founder of Fences for Fido, a Portland-based organization that builds free fences for chained dogs in the Portland, OR metro area. Dr. Zambrano of Darwin Animal Doctors scouted out the family and secured all the supplies we needed to built the fence. Frank Hurtado spent countless hours assisting us with translation as well as helping us build.

Animal-Free Ships

Many purebred dogs are finding their way to Galapagos smuggled aboard cargo ships.  It is illegal to transport any live animals to Galapagos from the mainland. GPS is reaching out to ship owner’s and Captains to pledge their diligence in operating animal-free ships bound for Galapagos.

Captain Gonzalez understood the dangers of transporting animals to the islands and was disappointed that so many island residents approached him about doing so. There are six ships which transport goods to the islands from the mainland of Ecuador.  GPS is approaching captains and owners of all six ships to urge them to sign the animal-free ship pledge.

Meetings with Local Government and Officials

GPS met with CIMEI Directors on San Cristobal, Santa Cruz and Isabela Islands to discuss how we could work together to promote animal welfare and protect wildlife on each island.  Renato Herrera, Director of CIMEI on San Cristobal was instrumental in facilitating the signing of the first animal-free ship agreement, as was AGROCALIDAD on San Cristobal.  In Santa Cruz, we met with the Director of CIMEI, Rommel Saa who invited us to a press conference he planned to kick-off the Animal Balance sterilization campaign that was happening on Santa Cruz at the same time. Danielle also had the opportunity to speak to the local news about GPS’s work in Galapagos.

GPS met with Mayor Buccelli and Vice Mayor Bareras of Santa Cruz both of which were very supportive of the work GPS is doing in the Galapagos Islands.

GPS also met with the Director of CIMEI on Isabela, Lady Arios and the Mayor. GPS donated 30 bilingual Spanish/English humane education coloring books and crayons to be distributed at the local school. The municipality is generously offering to work with GPS on building a dog and cat shelter/sanctuary on Isabela.

Working with Darwin Animal Doctors and Animal Protection Ecuador-Ambato

Most of GPS’s work on the 2010 Galapagos campaign could not have been possible without the help of Dr. Zambrano, a veterinarian for Darwin Animal Doctors (DAD).  DAD is securing full-time veterinarians for each of the inhabited islands. During the two weeks we were together, Paco worked tirelessly on his own veterinarian and outreach work for DAD and still found time to assist GPS in gathering supplies, reaching out to local businesses and officials and securing many important meetings for us.  Words cannot express how thankful we are to Paco and to DAD for allowing Paco to assist us in our campaign.

GPS also had the privilege of volunteering on a high-volume spay and neuter campaign in Ambato, Ecuador coordinated by veterinarian Dr. Diego Barrera of Animal Protection Ecuador (PAE)-Ambato.  The campaign was a huge success bringing together dozens of volunteers from all over Ecuador and the United States to spay hundreds of cats and dogs over a few days.  Dr. Diego has been instrumental in assisting GPS with removing and rehoming animals from the Galapagos and we were thrilled to be able to help his first of many sterilization campaigns in Ambato!

Rescues

During the 2010 Galapagos campaign, GPS rescued three dogs and two cats!

Although they are very loving pets, if left to roam in Galapagos they would have terrorized and killed countless baby tortoises and iguanas, as well as birds.  Its not only beneficial to the wildlife that these cats and dogs be removed from the streets, its means a much healthier and happier life for the cats and dogs as well! We’ll be posting photos of them with their new families soon!