What prompted Ecuador to allow pets as witnesses at civil weddings?

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Ecuador allowed pets as witnesses at civil weddings in response to “current, modern needs” and contemporary family structures
Ecuador’s civil registry authorised “pet friendly” civil weddings that let dogs and cats act as witnesses, with the change framed as fitting “contemporary family structures” and “current, modern needs.” Ecuadorian officials did not cite a single specific advocacy trigger in the available reporting, but they linked the policy to how many households now keep pets. The shift is reflected in the fact that census data shows nearly 7.6 million out of Ecuador’s 19 million people own dogs and cats.
The civil registry linked the rule to modern family patterns
Otton Rivadeneira, director of Ecuador’s Civil Registry, said the policy aligns with “contemporary family structures.” He also described it as an adaptation to “current, modern needs,” placing the rationale on evolving household realities rather than a narrow procedural change.
Census figures show pets are widespread in Ecuador
Ecuador’s latest census found that among its 19 million people, nearly 7.6 million have dogs and cats as pets. The reporting also notes this is almost double the number of children ages 12 and under, underscoring that pet ownership is common across the population.
The policy was put into practice through “pet friendly” wedding documents
In the cases reported, the marriage certificate includes a specific space for a “paw print of your furry friend.” While the paw print is described as having no legal standing, it is used as a symbolic element alongside the couple’s signatures and other human witnesses.
Public uptake has been immediate since the change began in May
More than 50 Ecuadoran couples chose to marry in front of dogs and cats since May, including a ceremony in Quito where a Pekingese named Luna stamped her paw print on the certificate. The examples presented show that the change was implemented quickly and taken up by couples seeking a sentimental role for their pets in the civil ceremony.

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What prompted Ecuador to allow pets as witnesses at civil weddings?

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