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Tina Wales Solera began to rescue Galgos and Podencos in Spain, in 2007. These are Spanish breeds of hounds that have traditionally been exploited for hunting. Tina couldn’t ignore the raw and brutal plight of these magnificent hounds. Discarded, abandoned, starving, sick, injured and left to die when deemed no longer useful and considered to be worthless by  their galgueros (hunters). The level of abandonment and cruelty is truly horrific.

Sadly, Galgos del Sol was born, out of need. One day it is hoped there will no longer be a need for the charity when these hounds can be respected and well cared for all of their lives. Sadly this dream is far from a reality.

In the meantime, the need is huge. Tens of thousands of hounds are discarded and left to die on the streets of Spain every year. They have to battle disease, starvation, thirst and often horrific injuries. Puppies and hounds are born on the streets and die on the streets without ever having known a world without fear, brutality, starvation,  disease and without having felt human kindness.

Galgos del Sol works tirelessly every single day to rescue, heal, rehabilitate and re-home these magnificent hounds. To date hundreds of hounds have been helped and re-homed across Europe, the United Kingdom, the USA and locally in Spain. 

In addition, their work also includes the implementation of an education programme, supported by the Dogs Trust Worldwide. This programme brings the plight of these gentle hounds straight into the heart of Spanish schools, homes and business establishments. Designed not only to educate here and now, but importantly, to inspire the next generation to do better and stop this cruel and needless abuse of these gentle and sensitive souls.

Whilst volunteering at Galgos del Sol. I have seen at first hand the passion, commitment and unrelenting drive of the GDS Team  in the rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming of these  much abused hounds.

Please enjoy some photographs that I took during a recent visit. Just a few of the hounds lucky to be rescued by Galgos del Sol and looking for life long caring homes, visit www.galgosdelsol.org 

The “Challenge” .......many of the hounds bound for new homes beyond Spain fly out from Madrid Airport. In April 2019, I have challenged myself to cycle and trace the route (in reverse) that these incredible hounds take. For the lucky ones this is undoubtedly the biggest journey of their lives, full of trepidation and excitement. At this point in time their “Sweet Life” is within touching distance,  a place that most can only dream of. 

The sting in the tail for my “Challenge”  is to complete the whole distance almost 300 miles in under 24 hours. This will require a commitment to cycle continuously throughout the day and night without sleep or meaningful rest, eating and drinking on the move, until I arrive at the Galgos del Sol centre in Murcia.

Whilst a daunting and almost ridiculous challenge it is nothing compared to the suffering endured by these beautiful, gentle souls at the hands of unscrupulous hunters, facing abandonment, cruelty and neglect in front of a world that seems content to simply turn away and ignore their plight. Thankfully,  Galgos del Sol will not stand by and watch. 

Please help to support their incredible work. Thank you.

You will be able to check on the progress of my  training and the challenge itself through regular Just Giving updates and our Facebook pages ......’Maxine’s Madrid-Murcia 24 Hour Challenge’ and of course at ‘Galgos del Sol’ 😁.

For the price of a coffee you can help rescue a sick, injured and starving hound or puppy. If you can donate, every pound, euro, and dollar will make a difference

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.