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Original poster

Rescue from Spain - success story

27 replies

MaireadMcSweeney · 19/03/2023 08:31

I posted a thread last year about planning to get a rescue from Spain and a lot of people were sceptical about the arrangement and warned that these adoptions can go very wrong. Not to say that's not true but I wanted to say that it's been a dream.
we have a podenco who is about 6/7 years old so not a crazy pup. He's affectionate, well behaved, well trained, sociable, good with the cat and generally delightful.
we rescued him through animal Angels global and I would absolutely recommend them!
we went for a Spanish rescue because I couldn't find a rescue that would consider us with a cat, a child (teen!) and living in a flat despite having our own entrance and garden with fencing all round.
anyone considering looking abroad for a rescue have a look at their facebook page and obviously do your research but don't rule it out.

OP posts:
mrsfennel · 19/03/2023 08:34

Thats amazing, lucky dog. They are beautiful.

Lovelyveg82 · 19/03/2023 08:37

How long have you had him?

IngGenius · 19/03/2023 08:49

I wish everyone had your experience unfortunately it is often not the case.

I see daily heartbreak in my job with foreign rescues and their new owners.

New owners who are a breaking point and emotionally wrecked due to inaccurate information from the rescues and inappropriate rehoming.

Also the strain on British rescues who have to pick up the pieces when the original foreign rescue refuses to hep.

Original poster
MaireadMcSweeney · 19/03/2023 11:28

Lovelyveg82 · 19/03/2023 08:37

How long have you had him?

About 4 months

OP posts:
ThreeLeggedCat · 19/03/2023 11:29

We also have a Spanish rescue, we’ve had him nearly 3 years now and he is fab - apart from a reluctance to walk when it’s cold. Would I do it again? No. Whilst he is amazing it’s just too much of a risk of the unknown. He could have been a complete nutter, anything, and we wouldn’t have known til we got him home, and then it’s too late.

Original poster
MaireadMcSweeney · 19/03/2023 11:29

IngGenius · 19/03/2023 08:49

I wish everyone had your experience unfortunately it is often not the case.

I see daily heartbreak in my job with foreign rescues and their new owners.

New owners who are a breaking point and emotionally wrecked due to inaccurate information from the rescues and inappropriate rehoming.

Also the strain on British rescues who have to pick up the pieces when the original foreign rescue refuses to hep.

I didn't and don't say these problems don't happen, but there are also lots of successes.

OP posts:
adriftabroad · 19/03/2023 11:33

I have a Spanish rescue podenco!

They are fabulous dogs.

(I live in Spain) I would love a galgo too, but not enough room for both.

Hoppinggreen · 19/03/2023 11:40

I am really happy it’s worked for you, genuinely
BUT I wouldn’t want anyone to read your post and think that will definitely be the case for them.

adriftabroad · 19/03/2023 11:41

Podencos are generally fabulous with children. They have usually been through a lot and are grateful,you can really see how happy they are. Extremely loyal.

Err, good with cats not so much (IME) Rescue centres say "cats unknown" usually - this means not good with cats. (in Spain) Also, rescue centres here generally insist on an enclosed garden.Rescue centres in Spain are excellent.

Original poster
MaireadMcSweeney · 19/03/2023 11:43

Hoppinggreen · 19/03/2023 11:40

I am really happy it’s worked for you, genuinely
BUT I wouldn’t want anyone to read your post and think that will definitely be the case for them.

Surely people have common sense and understand it's a risk - I certainly did, but one I felt it was worth taking. I knew someone who had adopted from this charity and had for involved in their admin so knew the organisers quite well.

OP posts:
Original poster
MaireadMcSweeney · 19/03/2023 11:46

adriftabroad · 19/03/2023 11:41

Podencos are generally fabulous with children. They have usually been through a lot and are grateful,you can really see how happy they are. Extremely loyal.

Err, good with cats not so much (IME) Rescue centres say "cats unknown" usually - this means not good with cats. (in Spain) Also, rescue centres here generally insist on an enclosed garden.Rescue centres in Spain are excellent.

He was fostered in a home with cats, we saw video clips of him with them. He's a softie.

OP posts:
TwoCoffeesandAMilkshake · 19/03/2023 11:46

Surely there’s a reason that good rescues won’t home dogs with unknown backgrounds to homes with children or cats?

There are many UK dogs crying out to be rescued (by all means, send money to Spanish animal charities, but think about the air miles/ carbon footprint/ pressure on charities over here as well)

Lovelyveg82 · 19/03/2023 11:47

TwoCoffeesandAMilkshake · 19/03/2023 11:46

Surely there’s a reason that good rescues won’t home dogs with unknown backgrounds to homes with children or cats?

There are many UK dogs crying out to be rescued (by all means, send money to Spanish animal charities, but think about the air miles/ carbon footprint/ pressure on charities over here as well)

This

Lovelyveg82 · 19/03/2023 11:48

I couldn't find a rescue that would consider us with a cat, a child (teen!) and living in a flat

but you thought you know better than every single rescue Centre you approached

adriftabroad · 19/03/2023 11:55

The OP said she saw vidoes of he dog with cats. Spanish rescue centres are brilliant and all dogs chipped vaccinated neutered etc.

Of course, it is down to personal responsibility but podencos are wonderful. I did not have a cat so it was not an issue. People who botherto go to the efforts the OP has do their research

@MaireadMcSweeney do you have a picture? Please!!!! Which type of podenco?

adriftabroad · 19/03/2023 11:58

Lovelyveg82 · 19/03/2023 11:48

I couldn't find a rescue that would consider us with a cat, a child (teen!) and living in a flat

but you thought you know better than every single rescue Centre you approached

She has a fenced garden. That is what they care about.
A teenager is not a problem. Nobody should get any sort of dog with a young child.

Original poster
MaireadMcSweeney · 19/03/2023 12:04

Lovelyveg82 · 19/03/2023 11:48

I couldn't find a rescue that would consider us with a cat, a child (teen!) and living in a flat

but you thought you know better than every single rescue Centre you approached

Basically yeah
I think we were ready and able to provide a good home for a dog and no rescue would consider us and as it turns out we were right about that!

OP posts:
Original poster
MaireadMcSweeney · 19/03/2023 12:05

TwoCoffeesandAMilkshake · 19/03/2023 11:46

Surely there’s a reason that good rescues won’t home dogs with unknown backgrounds to homes with children or cats?

There are many UK dogs crying out to be rescued (by all means, send money to Spanish animal charities, but think about the air miles/ carbon footprint/ pressure on charities over here as well)

He'd been in foster for months by the time he came over, he wasn't untested.

OP posts:
ÉireannachÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉ · 19/03/2023 12:06

I really was hoping to see a little pic of him 🙂

Lovelyveg82 · 19/03/2023 12:08

adriftabroad · 19/03/2023 11:58

She has a fenced garden. That is what they care about.
A teenager is not a problem. Nobody should get any sort of dog with a young child.

Show quote history

Confused

so if that is what they are concerned about…. They didn’t need to be concerned because the op has a fenced garden

BettySweaty · 19/03/2023 12:11

We rescued a dog from abroad. Absolute disaster, following a nine month wait for a UK rescue, name down at 2 rescue centre's and still no dog. X2 teenage Ds and a large enclosed garden. Someone at home all the time.

Ended up just going and buying a puppy.

We had her for 2 years then found 2 really good UK rescue places and got a rescue as well.

I would imagine the rescue places are inundated now. The trick we found was finding decent rescue places.

adriftabroad · 19/03/2023 12:20

Lovelyveg82 · 19/03/2023 12:08

Confused

so if that is what they are concerned about…. They didn’t need to be concerned because the op has a fenced garden

Show quote history

I am sorry you are confused😘

Original poster
MaireadMcSweeney · 19/03/2023 12:22

adriftabroad · 19/03/2023 11:55

The OP said she saw vidoes of he dog with cats. Spanish rescue centres are brilliant and all dogs chipped vaccinated neutered etc.

Of course, it is down to personal responsibility but podencos are wonderful. I did not have a cat so it was not an issue. People who botherto go to the efforts the OP has do their research

@MaireadMcSweeney do you have a picture? Please!!!! Which type of podenco?

He's a maneto and he's adorable! We love him so much

Rescue from Spain - success story
OP posts:
adriftabroad · 19/03/2023 12:45

Oh so sweet! Thankyou.

We have slighlty larger podenco with a bit of galgo mixed in. But same lovely nose and kind trusting eyes.

ÉireannachÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉ · 19/03/2023 12:49

MaireadMcSweeney · 19/03/2023 12:22

He's a maneto and he's adorable! We love him so much

Show quote history

There he is 😍

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