Charity of the Month: May

SHOPPING HERE HELPS HOUNDS! This month, ALL PROCEEDS  from the Handmade4Hounds Shop on Etsy, minus fees, will be donated to Greyt Angels Greyhound Adoption

 

Founded on December 1, 2015, Greyt AngelsGreyhound Adoption Non-Profit Organization is based in Goshen, Indiana and is run by a dedicated group of volunteers to finding loving homes for the breed we love.

General Information
Adoption Fee - $250
Includes spay/neuter, dental, microchip, vaccinations, heart worm test, any worming that would be needed as well as a leash, collar and muzzle.

More information at https://www.facebook.com/pg/greytangels

Email: GreytAngels@gmail.com

 

It's easy to help - just visit our Etsy shop and purchase anything during the month of May.  Please visit our ABOUT US page for more information.
All goods in the H4H shop are donated by Etsy artists and crafters to help sighthound rescue.

 

 

 

 

 

Artist Spotlight: Suzanne Hamer of Birds for Birds

Greyhound in profile print

Artist Spotlight, April/May: Suzanne Hamer of Birds for Birds

We're starting a new feature to highlight our generous artists who donate their time and items to our shop to benefit sighthound rescues. This month we are featuring one of our newest donors, Suzanne.

From Suzanne: I was born in Seattle, Washington and still live in the area.  As a child I was always encouraged to draw and paint.  Our house was filled with art.  Later I attended Cornish Institute of the Arts.  I became very interested in photography and later, printmaking.

Animals have always been my passion and inspiration.  I have also been influenced by the Blue Rider and German Expressionism, which you can see in my bird prints. Lately,  I have become quite involved with a local greyhound rescue which has led to the creation of my greyhound and galgo prints.  I currently reside with 3 greyhounds and 1 galgo.

I donate all profits to animal charities.

Please take a look at Suzanne's shop, Birds for Birds, on Etsy.  

We appreciate all of our generous artists! Check out our shop here. 

Greyhound in Snow

Greyhound and River 

Charity of the Month: April

SHOPPING HERE HELPS HOUNDS! This month, ALL PROCEEDS  from the Handmade4Hounds Shop on Etsy, minus fees, will be donated to 112 Carlotta Galgos

From the 112 Carlotta Galgos website: 112 Carlota Galgos is a nonprofit association which works for the protection of the Spanish greyhound, the galgo. We rescue, heal and look for adoptions for galgos in need.

Galgos are used to hunt hares in Spain, and when it is not the hunting season, many wander the streets abandoned. Left to their own luck, galgos have been hanged, dropped in rubbish bins and wells, burnt. Anything to rid the trace of having had a galgo.

Unless the animals are in the hands of an association, they are doomed from birth. From birth they will be picked out good or bad. From two months, hunters will be training them. From one litter often only one may make a hunting dog. Overbreeding leads to mass abandonment of galgos. The number of abandoned dogs reaches way over 50,000.

112 Carlota Galgos was founded in 2006 when Charl started to publish about the plight of the galgos. Later on we became an association which rescues as many galgos as possible, caring for them on a personal basis and socializing traumatized cases in order to be adopted.9803x

One goal burning inside Charl is to create an educational center where children will benefit from the love of the galgo, to learn about responsibility and animal welfare.

Along the way we rescue some of the most abused galgos, and rehabilitate them both mentally and physically. Its a process and takes time, until ready homes are found.

Our estate is small, but peaceful. We work as a small team, as a family, with some special helpers. There’s a certain magic about our estate that oozes love. Soul and an ambiance of positivity. In this, I vow to do all I can for this special breed of dog: The Galgos Español!

112 Carlota Galgos is a nonprofit association. The only way for us to continue our work is for kind people to join us… The galgos need you, we need you. Love and soul is by the handful here, empathy and understanding creates change. We can’t do it alone. If you would like to know more about us, or help us in anyway, please contact dionidelrio@hotmail.com and muffin_65@hotmail.com


Website: http://www.112carlotagalgos.com/en/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/112-Carlota-Galgos-148387698542171/?fref=ts
Instagram: http://www.112carlotagalgos.com/instagram-2/

What are Galgos and Podencos?

You may have noticed lately we have been supporting rescues that help dogs called Galgos and Podencos and, like many of us owned by greyhounds, you may know they are from Spain and in the sighthound family. Galgos and Podencos seem to have infiltrated greyhound social media groups by storm. So just what are Galgos and Podencos? Why do they need help? How are they so cute and easy to love? Hopefully we'll help answer some of those questions here. 

"Galgo" quite literally means greyhound in Spanish. The full name is Galgo Español (so Spanish Greyhound). Podenco means "hound" in Spanish. You may have seen people refer to their pets as "Galga" and "Podenca" which is just the female form of the word. Now that we know what to call them, what do they do? Galgos and Podencos are bred for hunting. Unlike greyhounds, they don't hunt mechanical rabbits on a track. They hunt live rabbits in the countryside of Spain. There are even hunting competitions for Galgo hunting.

From Wikimedia

You may think this prey drive would make these dogs unsafe with cats in adopted homes. Actually, like greyhounds, a lot of Galgos and Podencos are wonderful with cats in homes (outside may be a different matter as the urge to chase may be triggered by a cat running). They are raised closely with other animals and often do very well with a variety of other species. 

Galgos and Podencos are both ancient breeds. They are actually genetically different breeds from greyhounds (though they have been bred together to increase speed for hunting). They have more endurance than speed (though they're still quite fast!) and have longer, flatter muscles than racers. They also have long necks, larger ears (especially Pods), and longer tails than greyhounds.

Podencos! photo from Galgo Podenco Support

 Both Galgos and Podencos have wire-haired variations as well, which can help with hunting in the harsh terrain of Spain. While Greyhounds with very apparent muscles are built for speed, the Spanish hunting dogs are built for the chase. They are sighthounds, just like greyhounds, so their first indication of a rabbit to chase is by sight. My Galga has been excited to chase cars several miles away as seen from a bluff, as from that distance they looked like little moving (possibly furry) objects! Both Pods and Galgos have very flexible spines, which allows for tight turns at speed. The long neck helps even more with catching prey as they can turn their heads very far. They may not be able to out run a greyhound at a sprint, but they'll probably catch something along the way.  

Cedric, a Galgo-mastin (a mastin is a Spanish mastiff), on the left and a Reina, a Galga, on the right. Picture: Amanda Stump

OK, so we know a little about what the Spanish hunting dogs are bred for and what they can do. Now for the big question: why they seem to need so much help in Spain. Why are there so many of them looking for homes? Why are they invading homes in the US and Europe? Well, Spain has some lax rules when it comes to these dogs. They are considered to be more like livestock than family members. The average lifespan of a male Galgo in Spain is 2 years. In a loving home the same dog will live upwards of 12 years. Females survive a bit longer in Spain if they are used as breeders. Sadly, Galgos and Podencos in Spain are often abandoned, tortured, and killed at the end of the hunting season each year (February 1). Shelters are inundated with animals, especially in February. February 1 has been designated the day of the Galgo (Dia Del Galgo) to raise awareness of the plight of these dogs. 

Reina, rescued by Fundacion Benjamin Mehnert, visits Lake Michigan and the Big Red lighthouse in Holland, Michigan. She is very lucky and is an excellent pet!  Picture: Amanda Stump

For more information on Galgos, Podencos, and rescues for Spanish hunting dogs see these links: 
Galgo Podenco Support
Love Hope Believe Galgo Rescue
Save a Galgo Espanol 
Fundacion Benjamin Mehnert 
Scooby Medina Rescue

Charity of the Month: March

SHOPPING HERE HELPS HOUNDS! This month, ALL PROCEEDS  from the Handmade4Hounds Shop on Etsy, minus fees, will be donated to

ALLIES FOR GREYHOUNDS

Allies for Greyhounds, Inc. retrieves greyhounds bred for racing. We look out for the welfare of greyhounds, finding homes for them where they may live out their natural lives as pets. We also work to educate the public about their qualities as pets and their care. Allies for Greyhounds is a Racing PROud adoption group

More information at http://www.alliesforgreyhounds.org

It's easy to help - just visit our Etsy shop and purchase anything during the month of March. Please visit our ABOUT US page for more information.

All goods in the H4H shop are donated by Etsy artists and crafters to help sighthound rescue.

Charity of the Month: February

SHOPPING HERE HELPS HOUNDS! This month, ALL PROCEEDS  from the Handmade4Hounds Shop on Etsy, minus fees, will be donated to 

GREYHOUND FRIENDS FOR LIFE 

 Greyhound Friends for Life is an all-volunteer non-profit organization that provides greyhound and other sighthound rescue and adoption services, primarily in the northern and central regions of California. Greyhound Friends for Life is committed to responding promptly to all communications from adopters, potential adopters, and other members of the public. While finding qualified homes for as many greyhounds as possible is our goal, we will take the time to provide the best possible matches between our dogs and our potential adopters.
More information at http://www.greyhoundfriendsforlife.org

 It's easy to help - just visit our Etsy shop and purchase anything during the month of February.  Please visit our ABOUT US page for more information.
All goods in the H4H shop are donated by Etsy artists and crafters to help sighthound rescue.

 

Charity of the Month: December & January

SHOPPING HERE HELPS HOUNDS! These two months, ALL PROCEEDS  from the Handmade4Hounds Shop on Etsy, minus fees, will be donated to

 Galgo Podenco Support

Galgo Podenco Support (GPS), a volunteer non-profit entity, was established to support the Spanish licensed charity groups that rescue, rehabilitate and rehome abandoned and abused galgos and podencos. Inspired by the tireless efforts of those on the front lines, GPS offers assistance in the way of financial support, practical help, and facilitation of adoptions to the US. 

Are there obstacles to running an organization that focuses on the needs of dogs in a foreign country? Absolutely. In addition to obvious challenges such as language and distance barriers, one often hears "what about the dogs here in the US? There is plenty of need here". GPS believes that there are no borders defining dogs in need. What the Spanish hounds endure is a global condition that affects all of us, one way or another. The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated. — Mahatma Gandhi

GPS would like to express our great appreciation to the US greyhound groups who have opened their hearts and homes to the Spanish hounds. We so appreciate their professionalism, support and passion for the plight of the galgos and podencos. For information about how GPS facilitates adoptions, please visit www.galgopodencosupport.org

It's easy to help - just visit our Etsy shop and purchase anything during the month of Decemberor January.  Please visit our ABOUT US page for more information.
All goods in the H4H shop are donated by Etsy artists and crafters to help sighthound rescue.