One year ago (2016) Laura Johnson sent me a video of a number of Podencos handed into a perrera on Lanzarote.. Until then both of us had been quietly working together for a couple of years rescuing some of the Podencos on the Island… We felt it was time to raise the profile of the situation and the group “Saving the Lanzarote Podencos” was created.

The perrera they are handed into is one of the bleakest places imaginable, the dogs are crammed into small kennels in a tiny building, there is no where for them to be let out, that is where they stay until the obligatory 21 days pass and if not rescued then can be euthanised.

Laura has built up a great relationship with those responsible for the perrera and the authorities who gave her access and allowed her to take any sick and injured dogs for veterinary attention. There is not one cent of funding or financial support for any of these dogs and we have to cover all the veterinary costs involved.

At the time there were 6 podencos that were handed in and it was a big undertaking we asked for help and so many people answered and we were able to release them. Since then we have kept our promise and the perrera remains empty of Podencos and other dogs.

We have had some bumpy moments and were subjected to a lot of criticism that we were a scam to make money! The podencos looked healthy, why did we need to rescue them, podencos are not that important and should focus on other dogs.

We have been looking how to improve the conditions at the perrera and Laura has been in discussions with the authorities on the Island and there will be update soon on the progress she has made.

I am very proud to call Laura a good friend, she is 100% there for the dogs. Yes it’s a team effort and together we are able to save them. But without Laura and her team the Podencos would never get their chance for freedom. It all starts with them.