Plight of Podencos in Almeria, Sorry, not very nice photos Options

[Podenco Paradise]

I really don't know what is happening lately. I have been involved with dog rescue shelters in Spain for 11 years and thought that things were, albeit very slowly, getting a little better. This past month however has been simply horrendous. Podencos are dear, sweet and gentle dogs and are treated abysmally. It is heartbreaking. We do what we can at our shelter but the local police rarely back up any of our cases which is so frutstrating and makes us feel like we are banging our heads agains a wall half the time. Grrrrrrr, it makes me so angry.

Annabel, found half starved, disabled and trying to rear a puppy. Over 1300 Euros has been raised by our sister charity in Holland so that her legs can be operated.
(IMG:http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd264/valerie_spain/Annabel.jpg)

Bramley is only 7 or 8 months old. Poor boy was on the point of death when picked up 2 days ago
(IMG:http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd264/valerie_spain/Bramley.jpg)

No he's not trying to go to the toilet, he is just too weak to stand for long
(IMG:http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd264/valerie_spain/Bramley3.jpg)

Let's not forget the poor Galgos. This is Fabio who is being fostered by one of the local vets. Again he is only around 8 months old.
(IMG:http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd264/valerie_spain/Fabio2.jpg)

These are just some of the poor creatures that have been rescued over the past month. What causes me to lose sleep is the harsh reality that for every one we manage to help there are probably hundreds that we don't even know about. That's rural Spain for you.

[Mad Dog]

Heartbreaking stories, I don't know how you manage to stay strong when you see neglect like this on a regular basis. For every dog that comes to you, there is hope for its future and you make an enormous difference to the lives of those dogs. Hopefully one day the happy endings will outway the sad ones (IMG:http://www.sighthoundsonline.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/default/flowers.gif)

[Borzoislady]

Oh dear doG, the look in Bramley's eyes is haunting.....a look of hopelessness and fear that runs so deep...... (IMG:http://www.sighthoundsonline.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/default/sadcry.gif) (IMG:http://www.sighthoundsonline.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/default/sadcry.gif)

[Going to the Dog...]

It is unbearable to see the pictures. I don't know how you cope seeing such cruelty at first hand. I feel despair and helplessness - what can we do?

My first instinct is to say that I will sponsor one and pay vets bills etc and adopt eventually but it's not the answer, is it? There will be more and more.

Why are animal welfare laws in Spain flouted so much? How do people get away with it? It's bad enough in the UK and Ireland but Spain is so so bad. But then again, I expect countries outside Europe are even worse. (IMG:http://www.sighthoundsonline.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/default/sadcry.gif)

What should we do? Send money? Offer to adopt a Podenco?

[redd_angel]

(IMG:http://www.sighthoundsonline.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/default/sadcry.gif) Those poor dogs! The look in their eyes. I wish I had the strengh to do what you do. You make such an amazing difference to the ones you are able to safe. Yes, it might only be a handful. but those few will be happy and well cared for soon
You are an angel !!!

[Podenco Paradise]

Sorry, I felt a bit low when I made yesterday's posting. Just to show it isn't all doom and gloom here in the south of Spain, here are a couple of happier photos.

A group of our fit and happy Andalucian Hounds (Podenco Andaluces) enjoying coffee break
(IMG:http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd264/valerie_spain/houndsteaparty.jpg)

And Annabel's (podenco with deformed legs) little pup has transformed from the lifeless pathetic creature in a hole in the ground to the great, stonking bundle of fun shown below.

(IMG:http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd264/valerie_spain/Podencomumspup.jpg)
(IMG:http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd264/valerie_spain/Corkystone.jpg)

Meanwhile, this is Annabel after 4 weeks of care and decent food. She should hopefully be fit enough to operate once her pup goes off to his foster home in a week or so.
(IMG:http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd264/valerie_spain/Annabelsitting.jpg)

[sallydust]

Valerie, you do absolutely amazing work over there, I don't know how you cope, but you are making a difference homing three gorgeous Podenco's in one week has to be congratulated, I've got tears in my eyes just looking at poor Bramley, he reminds me of Dust when we first got him, although Dust was not as skinny he had put on over a kilo by the time this photo was taken
(IMG:http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r169/sallydust/dust002.jpg)
And no he wasn't rescued from Spain but from a local rescue here in Edinburgh

I wish we could make more room on the sofa for Bramley and Ozzie along with darling wee Purdy (IMG:http://www.sighthoundsonline.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/default/wub.gif) .

Please give big hugs to all and thanks for the Purdy hit, all the better for being completely unexpected (IMG:http://www.sighthoundsonline.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

This post has been edited by sallydust: Dec 30 2007, 11:53 AM

[Anne P]

It is unbearable to see the pictures. I don't know how you cope seeing such cruelty at first hand. I feel despair and helplessness - what can we do?

My first instinct is to say that I will sponsor one and pay vets bills etc and adopt eventually but it's not the answer, is it? There will be more and more.

Why are animal welfare laws in Spain flouted so much? How do people get away with it? It's bad enough in the UK and Ireland but Spain is so so bad. But then again, I expect countries outside Europe are even worse. (IMG:http://www.sighthoundsonline.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/default/sadcry.gif)

What should we do? Send money? Offer to adopt a Podenco?

I feel exactly the same..........

Except for the direct messages we get on SOL, I get also messages from PL in France.
Had thought of going to live in FR and foster..........until a home is found for the dogs. that way they could leave spain.
To adopt it takes a min. of 6 months as they can't come straight inot the UK and going into qurantine is not the answer either.

I would be quite happy to go to FR or even BE but just can't for the moment;perhaps in a couple of years. Can't really go to ES as I don't speak the language and I'm not 20 anymore either! (IMG:http://www.sighthoundsonline.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[Going to the Dog...]

I like the idea of setting up a half way house in France. I was thinking of retiring to France next year. That would be a good idea!!!!

And then we could make the 6 months wait a real ball (IMG:http://www.sighthoundsonline.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/default/yay.gif)

[spindles]

Those photos are so sad (IMG:http://www.sighthoundsonline.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/default/sadcry.gif) The neglect and abuse is appalling, truly heartbreaking.

Thank you for posting the update on Annabel - great to see how she has flourished with love and care (IMG:http://www.sighthoundsonline.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/default/star.gif)