When famed British philosopher, James Allen said “Change your thoughts, change your life” little did he realise the profound impact his words would have on Englishwoman, Tina Solera and her family. Having settled in Murcia in 2007, well meaning friends had earlier warned her about the ill-treatment of animals in the region. So she was prepared...or so she thought. What she witnessed was to change her life forever. The intensity and frequent abuse of animals in the rural areas of Murcia appalled her, especially the ill treatment of “Galgos”.
These Spanish greyhounds are used by local hunters during the rather short hunting season from September to January and are also used for hare coursing. When they are no longer valued for their hunting or racing skills, these placid, graceful dogs are either hung, burnt alive, maimed, abandoned in fields and motorways where they pose a risk to drivers or worse, they are brought to “perreras” where they are brutally euthanized. Unable to watch this mindless brutality any longer, Tina decided to make it her lifelong mission to make a difference to the lives of Galgos and set about establishing a charity called “Galgos del Sol”. This charity is dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and finding new loving homes for this noblest of breeds.
The Galgo Espanola is a member of the sight hound family but does not share the same lineage as the English or Irish greyhound. What it does share however, is the same placid, gentle nature and of course, speed. Despite their ill- treatment by Spanish hunters, these dogs still give unconditional love and hardly show aggression towards human beings. It is puzzling therefore, to fathom why some people do not consider them suitable family pets but rather as disposable canines not worthy of the tiniest modicum of respect or love. But this attitude may help explain why the local government is reluctant to sponsor or subsidise any shelter dedicated to these canine pariahs.
Undeterred, Tina forged forward with her plans to set up her animal shelter dedicated to Galgos and another Spanish breed, the Podenco. With the help of donations raised by Angela Stacey and some land donated by her friends, Gaynor and Les, Galgos del Sol is now a functioning animal refuge offering urgent veterinary care, shelter, fostering and re-homing opportunities and of course, the most vital of ingredients, love.
In the last 6 months, Tina and her dedicated group of volunteers has been involved in rescuing and rehoming 60 galgos. Galgos are not easy to catch, especially severely traumatised ones, yet the volunteers spend hours by fields, ditches, farms and motorways, patiently waiting to rescue them. Unlike other animal shelters in the area, Galgos Del Sol does not receive any public funding and depends entirely on donations and fund raising.
Tina is also trying to educate the next generation and as such, is reaching out to 8 to 10 year olds in local schools by creating awareness and appreciation of responsible pet keeping skills.
Her tireless efforts and determination have won her the admiration and support of other greyhound charities such as Greyhound in Need UK and Greyhound Rescue Belgium and other partner agencies. With the help of her volunteers, Tina frequently holds fundraising events throughout the Costa Blanca and Costa Calida to fund her charity.
If anyone can help with fundraising or would like to make a donation to Galgos Del Sol (NIF/CIF: G30856736), please contact Tina Solera at: www.galgosdelsol.es or email her at tinasolera@hotmail.co.uk
Needless to say, she has been nominated for The CoastRider Pride of Spain 2011 awards.
Source: The Coastrider
This message was last edited by morerosado on 31/05/2011.
This message was last edited by morerosado on 31/05/2011.