Gemma, another galgo saviour

Gemma works with Sonia and Caridad, helping save galgos and podencos and find them permanent homes abroad. This is her story.

Gemma spent the first 27 years of her life being afraid of dogs, until her sister bought a cocker spaniel. So to find her heavily involved with galgo rescue nowadays is a far cry from her youth.

About 5 years ago, at the same time as she adopted her first street puppy, Gordi, she went on the Internet and discovered other people wanting to help the Spanish galgos, refuges and shelters desperately needing help, and rescue associations prepared to transport galgos and podencos out of Spain to permanent homes elsewhere.

There is no hunting in the area where she lives, but she works in close contact with Sonia and Caridad, who are not so lucky. They work at a couple of the refuges where galgos may be taken by people who find them abandoned, injured on the road, starving on the street. At worst, hung from a tree but still alive.

She works mainly with L’Europe des Levriers, a French association which works at finding foster homes for the dogs, and forever loving homes. And that is on top of her full-time job as an infant teacher.

As well as Gordi, she has now taken in another street puppy, Peludeta.

Her hope is that one day there will be no street puppies in Spain, and no need for the galgo rescue associations. She looks forward to the day when there are Spanish laws prohibiting the uncontrolled breeding and hunting with galgos, and protection for all dogs.

'I am very grateful that there are now more people outside Spain who are aware of the bad things that go on, and are helping us fight against them.'

Related articles:
Sonia, doing her bit to help
Caridad - coping against all odds

Comments

[Amanda Smith]

I would just like to say what a wonderful job these volunteers are doing if it wasnt for them were would the Galgos turn! How do you get involved with the rescue work? I would love to help out in any way i could,yours amanda smith,greyhound and lyrcher lover

[Mediabee]

Hi Amanda

Thank you for writing. There are many ways of helping the galgos and podencos, they desperately need every bit of help they can get.

Type of help depends on where you are. If you are in Europe, there are many rescue associations to join, listed on Galgo News. I'll list a few here

1. Fundraise, as the European associations rely on membership fees and donations. They get no state aid worth speaking about

2. Join in one of the rescues and help transport rescued dogs into France, Belgium, Holland, Germany.

3. Foster a dog or adopt one

4. Sew or knit coats for the galgos in refuges in Spain - it gets extremely cold at night in winter.

5. Volunteer to help at one of the Spanish refuges.

6. Support the campaigns, like signing petitions, writing letters, such as you will find on Galgo News. My idea is that if we send thousands of letters from around the world, one day they might be taken notice of.

7. Publicise as much as possible the plight of the galgos.

Hope that gives you some ideas!

Let me know how you get on, and please tell everyone about Galgo News.

B

[Helle, Denmark]

Thank you SO MUCH Gemma and Sonia and Caridad for all the work you are doing for the dogs !!!
Remember - You are not alone !!!
I will help a.o. in that way that I will spread the words about the dogs and your work and other good peoples work as much as I am able to among people I know and people I meet on my way and also by signing lots of petitions and also by writing letters by my self to Embassies and other 'officials'. And I am about to sew some coats for the dogs in Spain too.
And other good people and more Associations in Denmark are doing great works for the dogs in Spain.
So think about and remember, I know the times must be very rough for you. You are not alone, my thoughts often go to you rescuing-people in Spain with respect and love for what you are doing.