Support the Spanish Hunting dogs
Every year 60,000-80,000 Galgos and Podencos are discarded in Spain after the hunting season.
The next peaceful protest in support of NAC and the Spanish hunting dogs will take place on 1st February 2025 in London and possibly other UK locations
UPDATE
Following the protest on 3rd February 2024, we contacted the Embassy of Spain to ask for an appointment. We wanted to deliver a book, containing the stories of your dogs that many of you have shared. We were also going to deliver a Spanish flag, bearing the names of the dogs that could not travel to London to attend the protest.
We were disappointed when the Embassy replied and ‘reassured’ us that the protection of animals is an issue of high priority in Spain. You can read the full email here.
Rest assured, we are not going to give up. We will continue our correspondence with the Embassy of Spain until we are granted an appointment.
Best,
Adva, Heather and Gemma x
On 3rd of February 2024
The first UK protest supporting NAC and the Spanish hunting dogs started outside the Embassy of Spain in London.
The Invisible dogs of Spain.
Podencos and Galgos are the two main breeds that are used for hunting in Spain, although others suffer to at the hands of this Spanish tradition. Podencos and Galgos are often referred to as ‘Invisible Dogs’ or ‘The Great Forgotten’. Sadly, they are the most abused dogs in Spain. Bred to hunt and kept in squalid conditions, often chained - these ‘working dogs’ are not protected by Spanish law.
In 2023, there was an overhaul to the Spanish animal rights laws but devastatingly hunting dogs were excluded from these rights as they are viewed as tools and therefore not protected. It can be difficult to imagine the suffering they endure, hidden from view.
At the end of the hunting season, they are dumped, tortured or killed in their thousands. This barbaric practice needs to stop and we encourage you to lend your voice to these dogs.
How can you help?
You can spread the word by following and supporting the charities that work tirelessly to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome these dogs. There are links to Project Galgo and Hope For Podencos below. You can also donate to these charities to support their ongoing efforts.
Alternatively, if you’d like to foster or adopt a Podenco or Galgo, then there are lots of them looking for homes. They make wonderful companions and are incredibly loving, despite the tough start to life that many of them have had.
