From the rescuers of Scooby in Medina Del Campo, Spain:

We have heard of another tragedy and we are on our way to finding a solution. This time it was in a town of Sevilla, at El Cuervo, a nice town where a man called Antonio has dedicated to rescue dogs, especially Galgos, Podencos,  and some mixed breeds. We calculate that there were there almost 200 dogs, all together, males, females, big, small, for which the situation is absolutely untenable. The inspection organizations had given this man till November 10th to arrange this situation. We received a call from Sandra, a person living there and we began to move.

On September 7, 2007 the Galgo Rescue International Network is going to embark on its largest relief effort to date.  G.R.I.N. members Charles and Jane Totten of Olympia, Washington will be travelling to Madrid loaded with medical supplies and coats for seven of the Spanish shelters.

The shelters, Scooby, Recal Extremadura, DDEVIDA, Refugio Kimba, Galgos Sin Fronteras, Pro-Galgo, and Amigos de Los Galgos, will each receive a package containing a wealth of medical supplies (courtesy of Shelter Aid, National Greyhound Adoption Program, and various donors), 30+ coats each (made with love by Telma Shaw and the coatmakers), dozens of collars and leashes, and a 4 X 10 foot banner for public education courtesy of Bob Smith of Homestretch Greys and G.R.I.N.

While recently visiting Utrera (Sevilla), Spain, G.R.I.N. member and galgo dad Gary Lopez became aware of a dreadful situation.  Four galgos were being kept in deplorable conditions in a trashed apartment flat. Gary reported his findings to Defensa de los Derechos de la Vida Animal (DDEVIDA).  Rescuers from DDEVIDA were able to save three of the four galgos.

By Telma Shaw, G.R.I.N. Board of Directors

Three Galgos, Ramona and her two sons, Amistad and Ramone, were left locked in a warehouse with no food or water, left to die a slow death together. Rescuers at Scooby Medina Shelter in Medina del Campo Spain somehow heard about them and took action just in time. It was reported that Amistad was so weak he could not walk for the first three days at Scooby.

Before their rescue, Ramona had been living near a gypsy camp. They kept her there by barely feeding her. Every year her litter was taken from her. This year the rescuers did not find her most recent litter but her pups from the previous litter, Amistad and Ramone were miraculously still with her.

Written by: Cristina Pascual, (Palencia, Spain)
Translated and Reproduced With Permission by: Michael G Rodrigue

Below is the story of Arwen, one of the many thousands of suffering galgos in Spain. Arwen is now being cared for by Cristina Pascual in Palencia. Cristina has rescued many dogs and has been successful in finding homes for them after she nurses them back to health. She takes on great medical expenses and receives no help from local animal control.

The Galgo Rescue International Network is coming to the aid of Cepo, a little podenco who lost his front leg after being snared in a snap trap in Spain.  Cepo was rescued through a combined effort between Pro-Galgo Spain and Association Evolucion in Madrid.  Cepo was found in a trap, his front leg mangled and unsalvageable.  Veterinarians were unable to save Cepo's leg so it was amputated.  He is recovering well and awaiting transport to his new forever home in Germany, but the bills for his care are significant.

G.R.I.N. is sending a $300 Emergency Assistance Fund (EAF) grant to help Association Evolucion and Pro-Galgo pay for Cepo's care.  If you would like to contribute to this grant, please click the Chip In link which will redirect you to Pay Pal where you can make a donation.  Please list "Cepo" in the comment section.

UPDATE: Most of the dogs have been rescued by Passion Levriers http://www.passionlevriers.com/ and ANAA http://www.anaaweb.org/ingles/! Thank you to everyone who expressed concern and interest!

A new horror has been discovered on the island of Ibiza, in the Mediterranean off the coast of mainland Spain. Between 50-100 Ibizan hounds (Podenco Ibicenco Sighthounds) have been living in grave conditions with little or no food, and no proper veterinary care.

Various organizations are working to rescue these poor souls, and the Galgo Rescue International Network is trying to help these dogs by bring a few of them to the US this September after their rescue from Ibiza. No concrete plans have been made yet, but we are anxiously awaiting news and are eager to help however we can. If you would like to make a donation to the Podencos of Iziba, please click the Chip In link on the homepage. You will be redirected to PayPal where you can make a donation. Please enter "Ibizan" in the comment section of the donation.