So another year draws to a close. Another year when the Spanish government has done nothing to protect the hunting dogs, their over-breeding, the cruelty of the galgueros, using them just as a hunting tool and discarding at the end of January when hunting in Spain finishes each year. Thousands abandoned in the campo, dumped in perreras, dumped outside shelters.
One difference in my 15 years involved with the plight of the galgos and podencos is that there aren't the hangings in olive groves which there used to be. The bad publicity has possibly been one influencing factor, plus the increase in shelters and rescue associations to help these wonderful dogs to find forever homes around the world.
Another plus is the cities throughout Spain who get together on at the beginning of February to march through the streets demanding protection for the hunting dogs. Back in 2007 there was nothing like that, 10 years on there are marches in most major Spanish cities, and even marches in Germany, France and the UK.
The plight of the podencos in the Canary and Balearic Islands tends to be overlooked but life for them on the Islands is hell and because of the cost of transport to rehome the dogs, many of them spend their lives in shelters after rescue. Richard and Lesley Beauchamp were the first rehomers of Canary Islands podencos I came across, who worked with a German group to transport rescued podencos via Germany to the UK and forever homes.
The advent of facebook in 2011 was a major factor in increasing the huge publicity about the plight of the galgos and podencos meaning many thousands have been rescued and rehomed in Europe, Scandinavia, Slovenia, America and Canada.
But we must not forget the poor lives ked by the galgos of Chile and Argentina in South America. Chile has now banned galgo racing but, as we know, banning something means it can go 'underground'. I'll continue to publish stories about the work of the rescue associations in those countries.
I spent many years with the French rescue association L'Europe des Levriers, travelling as a member of the team into Spain to bring back galgos and podencos to France for foster and rehoming. I was always impressed with the dedication of the volunteers who worked 24/7/365 for the hounds, caring for them, rescuing them.
I am grateful to all my lovely readers who over the years have responded to the many appeals for help which I have run, mainly for help with vet fees for rescue associations but also for rehoming too.
Thank you and here's to the next year working towards impoving the lives of the hunting dogs of Spain.
We might only save one dog at a time but to that dog it is the most important step towards the life it deserves.
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