For many of us who have heard of the terrible plight of the beautiful Galgo dogs in Spain, adoption is an idea that we have embraced as something we can actually do to help.
Most of us do not have a massive disposable income, so donating significant amounts of money is not possible, and we look for other ways to help.
So, can we offer a home to a galgo? Some questions to consider.
Is adoption for you?
The idea of offering a loving forever home to a galgo with a sad history is irresistibly appealing to anyone who loves these dogs, has been moved by their plight, and feels they may have room in their heart and home.
BUT you do need to think very carefully before offering to adopt a galgo, because the last thing that these dogs need is a forever home that turns out to be a 'two week home'.
Be certain that you are prepared to cope with a dog who may well experience problems settling into his or her new life, however desirable and better than what they have left behind it may be. Most of these rescued dogs are rescued because they have suffered, in some way or another, and certainly few will be used to the sights and sounds of a house, or indeed the rules associated with living 'en famille'.
If you can't bear the thought of an occasional...or even frequent...toilet training mistake in the early days, if you are not prepared to patiently explain that food on the kitchen table is for people, not for dogs to take, if you aren't prepared to get up in the middle of the night to calm, comfort and resettle, then maybe you can find another way to help the galgos, other than adoption.
Consider your other animals too...
Most galgos are sociable creatures who forgive very quickly the terrible wrongs that have been done to them by men, but some never get over their training and indeed instinct to hunt.
If you have cats, take extra care. This doesn't mean that you can't adopt a galgo if you have cats (I have five cats, and 3 greyhounds plus a veritable gaggle of rescued galgos...) but proceed with caution, be honest with the adoption organisation and ask that they try the galgo with cats first (this is done under safe conditions for the cat, I might add!).
Even this is not a guarantee, but taken carefully, many galgos adapt happily to living with cats and can be found happily curled up on the sofa with them in many adoptive homes!
Other animals too need to be considered. Although rescue dogs are usually neutered as a part of the rescue agreement, sometimes adult male dogs can have difficulty adjusting to accepting another male into the home. If you know your dog is a dominant character, try to adopt only spayed females, (galgas), to avoid potential problems.
Sound advice from Joanna Simm.
Related articles:
Questions to ask yourself
Importance of neutering
Fees paid to associations
Questionnaires and visits
Recent Comments