I’ve been itching to write about my week at Galgos Del Sol since my first step in the compound in Mercia, Spain last May. However, as the saying goes, life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans; I’ve been busy for the last several months moving to a new home and setting up a studio in a completely new area. Now that it’s been nearly a year since my week of volunteering, it’s given me a chance to reflect and look back at the visual diary I kept whilst I was at GDS. I am turning that journal into a zine at the moment, but more on that later. (The drawings from this post are taking from that zine!)
Galgos and Podencos
Today is February 1st which is World Galgo Day (Día Del Galgo), it signifies the end of the hunting season in Spain. It’s the start of a very busy season for the charities that rescue Galgos. It is estimated that between 50,000 and 100,000 Galgos are killed every single year in Spain. If you don’t know much about Galgos or Podencos, now might be a good opportunity to visit GDS’s site to learn more about these beautiful Spanish dogs and their history. There’s also plenty more information about the treatment of Galgos in this great blog by Blas and Co.
If you’re familiar with my work you might know I have a slight love of long dogs and a lot of my illustrations feature my rescue greyhound Albert. I donate to charities, sign petitions, donate raffle prizes for the Galgos but I wanted to do something that felt like it would make a difference and as great as money is, giving time is so valuable. I wanted to do something that felt like I was actually helping, sighthounds have the sweetest souls and I hate how their gentle and trusting nature is taken advantage of through hunting and racing.
Galgos Del Sol
Galgos Del Sol are an incredible charity founded and run by Tina and her incredible team, supported by long and short term volunteers. GDS is based in Murcia, southern Spain, the centre is in a rural area surrounded by fruit and veg farms.
I found it really easy to apply, there’s a calendar on their website that shows the weeks that have availability, you need to have donated/regularly donate and have experience with dogs. I chose a time of year that wasn’t too hot but at the end of May it was still very hot for me!
A typical day as short term volunteer (when I was there)
In the morning you, along with other volunteers, are assigned some of the dogs to walk. Spending a bit of 1-1 time with each dog, there are a few zones- like the sensory garden and agility with lots of sniffy areas, places to groom and plenty of opportunity to give treats. By the end of the week you get to know most of the dogs in the kennels, it’s highly likely you have your favourites and you know which area they prefer to spend time in! The more energetic ones love agility- jumping onto the tires and ramps, the more timid ones like the quiet of the sensory garden.
Lunchtime is a great opportunity to hide away from the sun whilst catching up with the team and the other volunteers. A big vegan feast is cooked by the volunteers and we sat around, eating and chatting all about our favourite dogs.
In the afternoon it’s time to clean the kennels in pairs. A deeper clean is done in the morning so the afternoon is making sure the kennels are clear, allowing the dogs to have a little run around the enclosure whilst you do so. There are also other task to do in the afternoons, like bathing the dogs who are off to their forever homes, hydrotherapy with dogs that need it and I even did a little dental cleaning (which was surprisingly fun!)
My time at GDS
There’s so much to say about my time at GDS but this post would be way too long!
I think I was there at a fairly quiet time and I didn’t see anything too traumatising, this meant that my experience was positive. I’m sure that there are weeks where the morale is low because of harrowing cases so please bear this in mind especially if you are a sensitive person and you’re considering volunteering. There are many horrible stories and atrocious things that happen to the dogs and it’s important to remember that it isn’t always a happy outcome. GDS is an incredible place, the work they do is admirable, it’s sad that it needs to exist but it is a place we need to support and celebrate.
Let me know if you’ve volunteered there or if you have any questions, I’d love to hear from you. If you are planning to go, don’t underestimate the amount of treats you will need, trust me!
The zine is taking shape and I’m nearly ready to launch it. I can’t wait to to share it with you when it’s finished, a portion of the profit will go to GDS of course!
Bryony x
Ps. If you enjoyed this post please consider donating to a Galgo charity:
Galgos Del Sol, Project Galgo, Fundación Benjamín Mehnert