Galgo News

  • Stomach cancer in dogs

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    Living with a stomach tumour

    Not a galgo but our blind podenco Bo (Bocelli) who we adopted in 2022. In 2023 he had a small tumour removed from his stomach. We were warned it could return. He is the third of our Spanish hounds to suffer from stomach cancer. Galga Sahara had an inoperable one many years ago and galgo Bracken had one in 2021, not long after our return to the UK after living in France for 19 years.

    In February 2025, 2 years later after diagnosis. Bo’s stomach started to swell again. A scan at the vets confirmed our worst fears – the tumour had returned and this time it was judged inoperable, as it could be attached to either the spleen or the liver.

    In himself, Bo was his usual happy cheeky self, eating normally, playing with our other podenco. But as his stomach swelled, he hadn’t the energy to go on the long walks of previous years.

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  • Galgos en Familia – life after the floods – seeking a new shelter

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    From Galgos en Familia –

    20 March 2025

    BAD NEWS

    Today we have to give you a very painful and heartbreaking news. Our shelter is closing its doors forever in this place. After seeing its condition and assessing the damage, another reconstruction is impossible, we can’t cope.

    Besides the risk of losing one of our dogs has been too close this time, 2 dogs from the outside area escaped death by minutes and if the person who received the warning call, had the phone on silent or a deeper sleep, today we would be crying the death of all our dogs and we can’t cope with that.

    Our shelter has always been our greatest pride, our safe place and who knows us knows how much we have fought for it, years of effort and dedication.

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  • Desolation at the Galgos en Familia shelter – flooded again…

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    Vera Thorenaar Redering has been rescuing and rehoming galgos for many years. Last year the shelter was flooded, it has been flooded again and the team are desperately asking for help especially a shelter/kennels in a different area as they can’t risk the lives of volunteers and dogs if they are flooded yet again. Here’s the story/

    18 March – plea sent out

    URGENT – BOATS AND ROPES NEEDED! THERE ARE 16 DOGS AND 6 PEOPLE TRAPPED! PLEASE HELP. WE HAVE BEEN FLOODED. DOGS AND VOLUNTEERS LOCKED INSIDE!! WE NEED URGENT HELP, THE WATER DOESN’T STOP RISING! URGENT HELP NEEDED! IF ANYONE HAS BOATS PLEASE WE NEED IT AND WHO HELPS US TRANSLATE DOGS WHEN WE GET THEM OUT. IF YOU KNOW US, YOU KNOW WHERE WE ARE AND YOU CAN HELP, PLEASE COME.

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  • The Chinese Sighthound – Shadong-xigou

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    https://nationalpurebreddogday.com/meet-shanxi-xigou/?mc_cid=fb3fd50efe&mc_eid=d1b947c3d5

    Candy Cane International Rescue saves greyhounds and whippets from the Chinese meat trade and bring them back to the UK and USA for foster and rehoming. They have two, Lady already homed in the UK and the other Merlin now safe in their China kennels.

    Kerry says ‘We’ve been researching Merlin’s breed, and we believe he belongs to one of the rarest breeds in the world! We’ve had a couple of these incredible dogs, including Lady, who arrived in the UK two years ago. I spoke with her owner and she still hasn’t found another of the same breed in the UK.

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  • Electric shock collars to be banned in England February 2026 – too late, why not now?!

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    From Bev Farmer of Podenco Friends.

    The Use of E-Collars on Podencos: what are your thoughts about using them ?

    On the attached photo a question was put to a advocate of e-collars .. Why would you use E.Collar on a podenco that has been abused ? The answer was disturbing please read the reply on the photo.

    E-Collars and Podencos: Why We Must Push for the UK Ban

    The Reality of Rescue: Healing the Broken

    Every Podenco that enters rescue has a story—often one of neglect, fear, and survival. We spend months rehabilitating them, earning their trust, and helping them recover both physically and emotionally. These dogs, already so fragile, should never be subjected to training methods that rely on pain and fear.

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  • E-collars on dogs should be banned worldwide

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  • PACMA – protestng about the Royal Decree 666/2023

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    PACMA – we want to tell you that on 5th March 2025 we have presented a proposal for an urgent modification of the terrible Royal Decree 666/2023 of the Government, which has generated enormous discomfort among veterinarians and animal guardians. There are many inconsistencies to correct.

    Why is this decree a problem?

    It requires notification of each veterinary prescription through the PRESVET system, including animals considered companion animals, when the European Regulation excludes them.

    It requires pathogen identification tests for certain antibiotics, which delays treatments and is costing animal lives.

    It imposes mandatory identification of animals for the administration of medications, making it difficult to treat community cats and abandoned animals. Such as where cats in a feral community are caught, neutered and returned to their community.

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  • The Ghosts of Spain by Travis Patenaude

    They move in silence, shadows slipping between olive groves and abandoned buildings, forgotten by those who once used them. Their ribs press against thin skin, their eyes—if they survive long enough—turn dull with despair. The ghosts of Spain are not myths or legends; they are the souls of the Galgos and Podencos discarded each year after the hunting season, their suffering woven into the landscape like an unspoken curse.

    Some are left to starve, wandering until their bodies give out. Others meet a crueler fate—hanged, drowned, tossed aside as if their lives meant nothing. Yet, if you listen, you can still hear them. In the quiet of an empty field, in the distant echo of paws that once ran with joy, in the wind that carries their unspoken pleas for mercy.

    But ghosts don’t have to remain ghosts. Rescue gives them form again—flesh, warmth, love. Awareness gives them voices. And action gives them justice.

    Don’t let them fade. Speak for them. Fight for them. Give Spain’s forgotten souls the ending they deserve. #Galgos #Podencos

    #TheGhostsOfSpain

  • The cost of hunting in Spain

    From Plataforma NAC

    There are fewer and fewer hunters… but Spain is still a great hunting ground!

    The number of hunters in Spain has dropped staggering: 45% down in the last 50 years and almost without generational relief. Meanwhile, 85% of Spanish territory is still destined for hunting, a multimillion dollar business in the hands of a few.

    The cost of this activity?

    30 million animals killed every year.
    Lead ammunition polluting the environment.
    Dozens of dead and injured in hunting accidents.
    Dogs used and abandoned after the season.

    Hunting is not necessary or ethical! Most of society rejects this cruel practice, but kinetic lobbies continue to impose their interests.

    #NoALaCaza #NaturalezaSinMuerte

  • Project Galgo – shop to raise funds for rescued galgos

    Click on this weblink for the shop

    Project Galgo is a UK/Spanish rescue and rehoming association. Click on this weblink to read about it and to see the dogs hoping for forever homes.