World Galgo Day was established to bring attention to one of the darkest issues in animal welfare. The Spanish Galgo, an ancient breed with a lifespan of 12 to 15 years, often faces a tragic fate. Each year, between 50,000 and 100,000 Galgos and Podencos—another native Spanish breed—are killed when they are no longer deemed useful after the hare hunting season. Galgueros (Spanish hunters) sometimes subject these dogs to violent deaths, driven by the belief that the more pain the dog endures, the better their luck in the next hunting season.
When is World Galgo Day?
World Galgo Day is observed annually on February 1. This date is significant as it marks the end of the hunting season in Spain and the beginning of a cruel culling of dogs considered to have outlived their usefulness.
Fortunately, 2022 brought a new era in Spanish animal welfare, with laws now prohibiting the abuse or abandonment of companion animals, recognizing dogs, cats, and horses as “sentient beings.” However, despite these legal protections, Galgos and Podencos remain at risk.
How You Can Help
- Adopt or Foster: Numerous non-profit organizations across the US, Canada, and Europe are dedicated to rescuing, transporting, and finding forever homes for Galgos. Consider adopting or fostering one of these dogs.
- Make a Contribution: Galgo rescue organizations always need financial support. Donations can make a significant impact on their efforts to save these dogs.
- Spread Awareness: Follow Galgo rescue organizations on social media and share their stories with your followers. For more information and resources, including a downloadable poster, visit diadelgalgos.com.
Interesting Facts About the Galgo
- The Galgo, also known as the Spanish Greyhound, is a long-distance runner, capable of reaching speeds up to 40 mph, slightly slower than the Greyhound’s 45 mph sprint.
- Galgos have more red blood cells than any other dog breed, which aids their endurance.
- These sighthounds can spot their target from over 800 meters away and have a 270-degree field of vision, allowing them to see behind themselves.
- Galgos come in both smooth and rough coat varieties.
- The image of a Galgo ancestor appeared on Roman coins, and a depiction of the breed can be found in a 12th-century mural at The Hermitage of San Baudelio de Berlanga in Spain.
- The Galgo is mentioned in Miguel de Cervantes’ famous 17th-century novel Don Quixote of La Mancha.
Celebrities Who Have Supported Galgos
- Peter Egan: The English actor, known to US audiences as Shrimpie in Downton Abbey, is a patron of Greyhounds in Need, a UK-based charity that also rescues, rehabilitates, and rehomes Galgos from Spain.
- Ralf Little: In 2021, the star of the British detective series Death in Paradise became a patron of Project Galgo, a UK-based charity run entirely by volunteers that rescues, rehabilitates, and rehomes abandoned and abused Galgos, Podencos, and Salukis.
Adopting a Galgo
Several non-profit organizations assist Galgos including adoption in the United States: