L’Europe des Levriers is the French association from whom I adopted my galgas and with whom I have also travelled to Spain to help with rescues. At the beginning of October (when I was in the UK and unable to help) a team travelled to Spain to bring back 30 galgos and podencos from the perrera at Albacete. Most of the dogs had been there for over a year. And you will be impressed by the excellent conditions at this particular perrera, would that all of them achieved this standard.

Beatrice, President of the association, tells the tale, and you can see a film of the rescue here.

‘Alarmed by the incessant fighting of male dogs who were missing space in the crowded perrera of Albacete, EDL has decided to take out ALL galgos and podencos from there. 30 dogs (50% of them Podencos) were brought to France at the beginning of October, to host families. These pictures do not reflect the expression and beauty: Yuma, Sira, Yiyo, Chicote, Queco, Anko, Nevo, Zuzo, Kronos, Claudia, Aysha, Violetta, Belinda, Tiva, Gala, Mano for galgos! Half of them have already been adopted.

What was our surprise to see how beautiful they were compared to photos! What a pity we did not have a video of each of them! Sure they would have long since been adopted instead of vegetating in this perrera some for over a year. Unfortunately, it is difficult to demand better pictures of the shelter employees who have too much to handle just looking after the dogs.

It was the first time we’ve been to this perrera. Cristina was able to arrange a contract with Yolanda, in charge of adoptions, so that each galgo and podenco is systematically reserved upon arrival at the perrera. Thus Nevo was just saved. A galguero was there when it happened and wanted to buy Nevo. He was categorically refused: Nevo was reserved by EDL. Puzzled and angry, the galguero left empty-handed. At least in this perrera no galgo is returned to the abuse and is not likely to be euthanized. A “small” bastion of security in Spain, even though living conditions are far from ideal.

The 30 galgos and podencos were transported in the Iveco loaned by friends Alain and Catherine. Six volunteers were mobilized for the occasion, namely Irene, delegated Ile-de-France and Beatrice, President, from Paris to Albacete, Patricia and Sandrine, volunteers Southwest, from Bayonne to Madrid, and Aline, a delegate of the North, and Alicia, a delegate from the East, from Paris to the border. In Spain, Cristina, vice president and Ines, her right arm, accompanied us.

A drop of water in a sea of troubles … We left behind 17 galgos, rescued by EDL and now in our kennels in Madrid! Our Spanish are all busy feeding galgos and podencos abandoned on the streets of Madrid, Valencia, Seville and Cordoba. They say there are even mored abandoned dogs.

The rescue of October was dedicated to Albacete. We’ve taken together some forty galgos and Podenco from this perrera. We thank all adoptive parents who agreed to send us great photos of the galgos in their family. A photo album was distributed to employees of Albacete proving that the galgos and podencos in France are not beasts of the hunt, but wonderful companion dogs. With these little things we hope to change attitudes ..’

NB The team travel to Bayonne, just over the Spanish border into France. There is a specific area where they can park, walk the dogs, meet up with EDL representatives from other areas of France who take the dogs for fostering and adoption.