This is a report from Saskia Rinia van Nauta of the San Anton Refuge. Galgos are being stolen. Three in the Cadiz area, one in Cordoba. And this is just the beginning. The first burglary has materialised: the galgos Chupeta, Fantastica and Fence have been stolen in the heat of the night. With enormous violence doors have been broken, and thieves have entered into the shelter. The hunters themselves also suffer under the theft of their dogs.
Prevention of theft seems to be impossible. The totally ruthless perpetrators act by incredible force, this is a most dangerous situation. We keep our fingers crossed for the fate of our galgos Azafran, Capea, Duardo, Esprit, Frenazo, Gofa, Juanjo, Letitia, Limoneta, Loli, Malva, Medusa, Patito and Ruffian. They all have an adoptive family who is eagerly waiting for them, but ways of their transportation have still to be realised.
The installation of a camera circuit might be the only precautionary measure possible. Installation by local technicians is preferred: installation, maintenance and repairs all done by one local business. Internet shows us that the guarding of the dogs in this way may well cost us Euro 2.000! Who can come up with an original idea to collect this amount of money, f.i. in a special event.
This matter is MOST URGENT as September is a month in which lots and lots of dogs are stolen, consequently the dogs in San Anton have to fear for their lives. In 2007 the hunters started to discard the Spanish greyhounds / galgos in November. We had a waiting list of people interested in adopting a galgo.
Now a precarious situation has arisen as we welcomed nine galgos, most of them 8 or more years old in the past few weeks. We'll soon present them to you on the internet. For these older dogs it is an effort to bear the ever changing temperatures of this climate combined with the high humidity in the shelter. It causes the infamous San Anton cough. A solution for this problem has yet to be found. Detlef is concentrating on this, but maybe someone else can also come up with an idea.
During the working visit of Detlef and Roswhita in September all dog beds will be given a foam covering. Highest priority is to create and/or improve living quarters so that they are beneficial for the dogs - they should live in a healthy environment.
A matter of great concern for San Anton is the fact that ProAnimale had to close down its shelter for foreign dogs in the Schwarzwald region (Southern Germany) under a judicial order. The same fate may await Tierherberge Donzdorf and as a precautionary measure they have canceled their transport of last July. It isn't hard to guess what this means for the dogs concerned. Their future is most uncertain.
Consequently the Foundation San Anton is faced with a considerable rise in costs - whereas fundraising is difficult due to the economical recession. From the Villamartin Town Hall no help or empathy can be expected for the dogs.
Since the establishment of the Foundation San Anton within the pereira Recogida de Animales Vagabundos in Villamartin a big change in favour of the dogs' welfare has been realised thanks to your support.
A change in their attitude towards dogs of the Spanish people is materializing only very slowly. To maintain the accomplishments in San Anton and to further develop these we are totally dependent on your support in every way. Without your support San Anton and its inhabitants face an uncertain future.
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UPDATE! Thanks to all who bid - with your help this auction raised $3390 for the galgos!! The Galgo Rescue International Network is proud to announce our collaboration with Carpe Canem in our latest fundraising venture! This internet auction features over 130 items - from clothing and jewelry for you, to home decor, and even goodies for your pups, and custom art! This is our most fabulous fundraiser yet, but we need your help to make it a success! We are facing a financial crisis due to the rising costs associated with airline travel. We need to be able to pay for the excess baggage we send with volunteers to Spain as it is the only way we can deliver the much-needed, often life-saving, medical supplies to the more than ten Spanish rescue organizations we work with. PLEASE visit http://www.carpecanem.com/auction/index.php/auctionid_123 to view the awesome goodies we have for you and to place generous bids! 100% of the proceeds after shipping will be used to benefit the galgos. Thank you so much for your continued support and for your love of the galgos. This auction ends at 7pm PDT/10pm EDT on Tuesday, August 26. If you would like to make a financial donation please click the "Chip-In" link to the right which will take you to our PayPal site. If you would like to donate an item for a future auction please email kim@galgorescue.org.
Dear friends of Scooby:
UPDATE! These girls have found their forever homes! Thanks to our friends of Midwest Lurcher Rescue Group, Janice and the T Troop, we have heard of these two lovely 2 year old lurcher greyhound mixes that are in need of a forever home. These two adorable fuzzy faced girls were returned by owner for no fault of their own. They are being fostered in Oklahoma but must be moved as soon as possible.
The Galgo Rescue International Network is facing a financial crisis and we need the help of our donors and supporters now more than ever. Due to the airline fuel crisis and the resulting increase in the cost of checking dogs and excess luggage, GRIN's ability to carry out our missions is in grave danger. GRIN sends volunteers to Spain multiple times each year to volunteer at Scooby and deliver veterinary medical supplies, educational literature, banners to be used for protests, practical supplies, coats and a variety of other items to more than 10 shelters and organizations. These donations are packed as excess luggage. The cost of mailing said items is absolutely prohibitive, so this is the only option we have. Now, due to the fuel crisis, the cost for sending excess luggage and bringing back dogs has increased astronomically. We are begging for your help. We need financial donations to be able to send these supplies over during our October mission, and to purchase much-needed veterinary medicines, educational literature and banners. All donations will be deeply appreciated � no amount is too small! Please help us help the galgos if you can. As a gesture of thanks, all persons making donations of $100 or more will receive a very special gift � a �Galgo Aid� pin. These pins are crafted by a true champion of galgo welfare, Sandra Baas of Spain. Sandra creates elegant jewelry, all for the benefit of galgo rescue and animal welfare. She is also a huge contributor to GRIN. Please visit her website www.baasgalgo.com to view her lovely creations. Thank you again for your continued support!
Thanks to all who participated in this fundraising event which raised $338 for the galgos! This one-of-a-kind original painting by Honora Stembridge is being sold to raise funds for the Galgo Rescue International Network, which assists sighthounds in need in Spain. 100% if the proceeds of this auction will benefit the galgos of Spain through GRIN's work. The auction will run on ebay through August 6, 2008. You can view the full ebay listing and place bids by visiting the link below. Please help the galgos by bidding generously!
Sweet and affectionate, ten sweethearts out of a Scottish Deerhound (Mama) and a Greyhound/Borzoi (Daddy) need homes immediately. Both parents belong to a coyote hunter and he has agreed to give up the pups to a rescuer in California. GRIN hopes to help place these puppies by listing them here.
This is the story of Kamal, an incredible survivor.. He is 14 years old, and spent 11 years of his life in a 2 x 2m cage in a refuge, lost in the middle of Spain. A refuge which is more of a prison for the dogs which end up there.
A letter from Mada Sanguino of Recal Extremadura:
by Telma Shaw