Help shed light on one of the darkest issues of animal welfare, World Galgo Day established. The lifespan of the Spanish Galgo ranges from 12 to 15 years. Sadly, very few members of this ancient breed live to old age. Each year, 50,000 to 1000,000 galgos and podencos – another native of Spain – lose their lives when their performance during the hare-hunting season is deemed poor.
Galhueros (Spanish hunters) often brutally kill dogs, believing that the more the dog suffers before it dies, the better the next hunting season will be.
When is World Galgo Day?
World Galgo Day is celebrated every year on February 1. This date is of great significance, as it signals not only the end of the annual Spanish hunting season, but also the start of the season. began a brutal culling of dogs believed to be older than their age. usefulness.
Thankfully, early 2022 ushered in a new era of animal welfare in Spain, with Spanish law now banning the abuse or neglect of companion animals, while also treating dogs, cats and horses are “beings”. However, even with the law in place, the lives of galgos and podencos are still at stake.
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How can you help?
Adopt or foster — Several nonprofit organizations across the United States, Canada, and Europe are solely focused on saving, transporting, and finding permanent homes for girls. Below you will find links to some galgo rescues.
Donate to Galgo .’s Rescue — As with all rescue organizations, the nonprofits that care for the galgos are always in need of donations.
Consciousness spreads — Follow galgo rescue organizations on social media and share stories about the plight of galgos with your followers. For downloadable posters and updates on the ongoing struggle for a better tomorrow for galgos and podencos, visit Diadelgalgos.com
Interesting facts about Galgo
Galgo is also known as the Spanish Greyhound. Unlike Greyhounds, whose fleet legs can sprint for short distances at speeds up to 45 mph, Galgo – which has speeds up to 40 mph – is a long-distance runner.
Galgos have more red blood cells than any other breed.
The keen eyes of sighthounds can spot their targets from more than 800 meters away, and the breed can even see behind them thanks to their 270-degree vision!
Galgos coats are available in both smooth and coarse varieties.
An ancestral image of the galgo appears on the reverse of Roman coins, and a depiction of the breed appears in a 12th-century mural at The Hermitage of San Baudelio de Berlanga in Spain.
Author Miguel de Cervantes mentioned the galgo in his iconic 17th-century novel Don Quixote of La Mancha.
Celebrities who have supported Galgos
Several celebrities have used their star power to highlight galgo’s plight, including:
Peter Egan — A champion of feathers, fins or feathers, British actor (American audiences will recognize the role of Tomie in Downton Abbey) is the patron of Greyhounds in Need, a UK-based charity that also rescues, rehabilitates and resettles galgos from Spain.
Little Ralf – In 2021 the star of the famous British detective series Death in Heaven became a patron of Project Galgo, a UK-based all-volunteer-run charity that rescues, rehabilitates and resettle abandoned Galgos, Podencos and Salukis and abuse.
Through a Galgo
If you’re pondering the prospect of welcoming rescued Galgo into your heart and home, there are a number of nonprofits that can help, including:
Galgo . International Rescue Network (SMILE)— Since 2006, this volunteer-run organization has been helping galgos and podencos girls in shelters in Spain find permanent homes in the United States.
Galgos del Sol — This charity in Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States helps rescued galgos, podencos and mixtures of two breeds find loving homes in the United States, United Kingdom, Belgium and the Netherlands. Lan, Denmark, Finland and their homeland.
Save A Galgo Espanol (SAGE) — Founded in 2011, this nonprofit works with three rescue organizations in Spain to find forever families for girls in Pennsylvania.
Love, Hope, Trust Galgo Adoption— A nonprofit organization in the Chicagoland/Central Illinois Area.
Support Galgo Podenco — Since 2014, this volunteer-run nonprofit has provided aid to licensed Spanish charities that help dogs in need of Spain . The organization’s website includes a complete list of rescues in Spain.
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