Bring rescued Eevee home from Spain
Donation protected
Meet Eevee. Eevee is a Spanish Galgo (a sighthound breed). She was found on the streets of Spain, starving to death, with a compound fractured and infected leg. It is believed she was struck in the leg with a pipe or spike. She ran loose for a week like this before rescuers at Galgos Del Sol could capture her. A week. Can you imagine the absolute pain and suffering this poor, sweet girl endured? Unfortunately the damaged, infected leg could not be saved and Eevee had to have the leg amputated. Sorry, the photos are very graphic. Please read on to learn a bit about galgos, and how Eevee will be coming to the US to her furever home (mine!).
Here is a little background on Galgos, and why Eevee will be coming from Spain to live in the US. The plight of the Spanish Galgo is a heartbreaking one. In ancient times the galgo was a prized possession, but currently they have become disposable “hunting tools” and when the short hunting season ends each year, tens of thousands are abandoned or brutally killed by their owners (galgueros) to whom they are no longer of use. The reasoning of the galgueros is that by torturing and killing the dogs they wash away the dishonor the dogs displayed that brought shame to their masters. In reality, the practice is simply an exercise in sadism that involves burning the dogs with acid, dragging them behind cars, sacrificing them to fighting dogs, skinning them alive or burying them alive. The most famous torture is called the "piano dance;" this involves hanging the dog by the neck with the feet just touching the ground as it struggles to breathe, scrabbles for footing and is slowly strangled to death by its movements. Some are aboandoned, their legs intentionally broken so they can’t find their way home.Before the dogs are used to hunt, they are starved to make them hungry for the prey.
When the dogs reach two or three years of age and are weakened by malnutrition and lack of care, it is simply cheaper for the galgueros to kill the dog to avoid feeding the dog until the next season, when they simply pick up a new dog for ten euros from one of many breeding facilities that supply the hunters. This is much less than the cost of food to maintain an adult dog between hunting seasons.
Because the galgos are regarded under Spanish law as working dogs, they are excluded from the laws relating to pets. They are considered to be goods, no different than agricultural machines that can be disposed of or used in whatever manner their owner decides.
Good dogs, the ones who have not shamed their owner by being poor hunting dogs, are "rewarded" by being sent to perreras (killing stations). These are municipal facilities where the dogs can be euthanized. Others that were abandoned have been living rough and scavenging to survive until caught by volunteers who themselves often face hostility from their fellow countrymen for showing concern for a breed deemed worthless. Galgos are not considered pets in Spain.
For these reasons, most Galgos are adopted outside of Spain. The cost of transporting a large dog by air is quite high. Between the crate, the passports, the airline ticket and hotel, the cost of bringing Eevee to her new home will be close to $1,000. I will be driving to New York to pick her up.
As many of you know, I lost my 12 year old dane, Luke this past summer. I have been waiting for a sign, a dog to cross my path that really needs me. When I saw Eevee, I knew she was the one. Luke sent her my way, knowing I was ready and she needed me. I have been approved to adopt Eevee! She is currently in Spain at the rescue facility, and will be on her way to the US to via airlines to New York in the spring when the weather is more favorable to travel. I am selling loads of things (through facebook marketplace and ebay) to help fund Eevee's transportation from Spain. I had a few friends ask if there was somewhere they could donate, and encouraged me to set up a gofundme. All money will go towards Eevee's expenses to bring her to the US from Spain. Any additional monies raised will go to Galgos Del Sol, the rescue organization, to help offset Eevee's surgical bills and care. Thank you for reading, thank you for caring for these sweet dogs.
Here is a little background on Galgos, and why Eevee will be coming from Spain to live in the US. The plight of the Spanish Galgo is a heartbreaking one. In ancient times the galgo was a prized possession, but currently they have become disposable “hunting tools” and when the short hunting season ends each year, tens of thousands are abandoned or brutally killed by their owners (galgueros) to whom they are no longer of use. The reasoning of the galgueros is that by torturing and killing the dogs they wash away the dishonor the dogs displayed that brought shame to their masters. In reality, the practice is simply an exercise in sadism that involves burning the dogs with acid, dragging them behind cars, sacrificing them to fighting dogs, skinning them alive or burying them alive. The most famous torture is called the "piano dance;" this involves hanging the dog by the neck with the feet just touching the ground as it struggles to breathe, scrabbles for footing and is slowly strangled to death by its movements. Some are aboandoned, their legs intentionally broken so they can’t find their way home.Before the dogs are used to hunt, they are starved to make them hungry for the prey.
When the dogs reach two or three years of age and are weakened by malnutrition and lack of care, it is simply cheaper for the galgueros to kill the dog to avoid feeding the dog until the next season, when they simply pick up a new dog for ten euros from one of many breeding facilities that supply the hunters. This is much less than the cost of food to maintain an adult dog between hunting seasons.
Because the galgos are regarded under Spanish law as working dogs, they are excluded from the laws relating to pets. They are considered to be goods, no different than agricultural machines that can be disposed of or used in whatever manner their owner decides.
Good dogs, the ones who have not shamed their owner by being poor hunting dogs, are "rewarded" by being sent to perreras (killing stations). These are municipal facilities where the dogs can be euthanized. Others that were abandoned have been living rough and scavenging to survive until caught by volunteers who themselves often face hostility from their fellow countrymen for showing concern for a breed deemed worthless. Galgos are not considered pets in Spain.
For these reasons, most Galgos are adopted outside of Spain. The cost of transporting a large dog by air is quite high. Between the crate, the passports, the airline ticket and hotel, the cost of bringing Eevee to her new home will be close to $1,000. I will be driving to New York to pick her up.
As many of you know, I lost my 12 year old dane, Luke this past summer. I have been waiting for a sign, a dog to cross my path that really needs me. When I saw Eevee, I knew she was the one. Luke sent her my way, knowing I was ready and she needed me. I have been approved to adopt Eevee! She is currently in Spain at the rescue facility, and will be on her way to the US to via airlines to New York in the spring when the weather is more favorable to travel. I am selling loads of things (through facebook marketplace and ebay) to help fund Eevee's transportation from Spain. I had a few friends ask if there was somewhere they could donate, and encouraged me to set up a gofundme. All money will go towards Eevee's expenses to bring her to the US from Spain. Any additional monies raised will go to Galgos Del Sol, the rescue organization, to help offset Eevee's surgical bills and care. Thank you for reading, thank you for caring for these sweet dogs.
Organizer
Michelle Lynn
Organizer
Sand Lake, MI
