The refuges and shelters are, as ever, swamped under the sheer volume of abandoned dogs, especially galgos – there’s been no let up all winter. And still the governments and authorities ignore the problem. Here’s another casualty of the galgueros. This is Charlie, 5 months old galgo pup, suffering from a viral infection in the Jerez killing station.
Update 8 01 2011 Sadly today Charlie gave up his fight for life. Thanks to everyone who donated to help the vet try and save him.
This galga had her leg broken and was shot with an air rifle. She is being cared for at Pepis Refuge. This is her story.
‘The galga we have called Twiggy was found at Sado park hotel, Mollina, Malaga. She is 18mth old with a fantastic nature. She had her leg broken so it made it easier to shoot her with an air rifle, one pellet is deep into her stomach which cannot be removed as as an operation is too dangerous. The two pellets in her leg have been removed though the op has left a very large hole in her back leg. We are told she may never walk properly again.
More abandoned and rescued galgos……from the perrera, from the countryside, urbanizations……….they are being abandoned everywhere, and it is only November – still the middle of the Spanish hunting season! One of the galgas rescued from El Paraiso could be pregnant, so an urgent spaying operation has now been carried out. And Maisey, an abandoned injured galga – sadly her leg could not be saved, so she is yet another one with an amputation. And the vet fees need paying!
Ulises was a galgo who had been living rough for months, no one could get near him. Eventually he was so ill he could be caught. He has leishmania, ehrlichia, rickets, a skin condition, but he is a fighter, as are the other two…..he wants to live and experience a forever home.
The news is bad…..these 14 galgos will be euthanaised any day now! The associations who were supposed to be taking some haven’t turned up! Charl del Rio is heading there now to collect a couple but she can’t take more – can’t anyone out there help. I know the refuges and shelters are full to bursting, but please can’t someone get the galgos out? And I know, there will be dozens of other needy dogs in there, on death row. But on GN it’s the galgos and podencos we want to save. Other associations are there to take care of rescuing other breeds. And my heart bleeds for all the mixed breed dogs who don’t stand any chance of being saved.
Please, someone help these galgos. Contact Charl del Rio Vera T R
UPDATE 27 11 2010
I now know that 8 of these galgos have been rescued from being killed, unconfirmed that possibly all of them have been.
This galga has been shot in the head. I don’t know the story behind how she was found – I’m waiting for the details – but suffice to say she was still alive when taken to the vet, who at the time of my receiving the photo, was operating to save her.
The hunters in France, where I live, are lethal in more than one way! Around our home and land, their shooting days are Thursdays and Sundays. We keep our cat and dogs shut in the house on those days; the cat is shut in all day, much to her disgust; the dogs are only let out in the courtyard.
Here’s a marvellous idea for your holiday next year, and it will help the animals. You can spend just one week on the walk, or longer, even the whole 6 weeks if you are fit! I publicised the previous walk, which was just with the dogs, this time they are taking horses and donkeys.
‘Dear Friends,
We have already overcome the worst summer heat here in Andalucía and preparations for the Camino 2011 have begun! Reserve your place now, as there are only 15 spaces available per week, for people and dogs, donkeys, horses …
The main aim of our pilgrimage continues to be raising awareness of the plight of animals and their need for protection. This is something which affects us all, because it is part of a wider, global attempt to preserve this planet as a worthy habitat for all the species.
