Earlier this month, our team traveled to Spain to meet with our dear partners at SOS GALGOS. It was a trip filled with learning, advocacy, rescue work, and unforgettable moments of compassion. Alongside SOS GALGOS, we met with local leaders, rescued dogs in need, marched for change, educated children, and helped 15 Galgos begin new lives in the United States.
We wouldn’t have been able to accomplish any of this without your support. Here’s a look at everything we accomplished together.
Standing Together on World Galgos Day
Our trip lined up with World Galgos Day, a powerful day of marches and demonstrations across Spain and around the world. In Barcelona, nearly 1,000 people gathered to stand up for Galgos and other hunting dogs who face terrible abuse.
The march began near Arc de Triomf and continued through the city to the Palau de la Generalitat de Catalunya. Our SPCA International banners drew attention as marchers chanted and called for change. The message was clear: the world is watching, and Galgos deserve better.
We will continue to raise awareness of the suffering of Galgos worldwide. More people must understand the reality of these animals if we want real, lasting change.
Meeting With Local Leaders for Change
Our journey took us to Calatorao, where we met with David Felipe, the town’s mayor. We had a positive and meaningful conversation about the welfare of Galgos and the urgent need for compassion-driven change.
We explained why the current legal status of Galgos is harmful, what we hope to see in the future, and the steps that can be taken to achieve it. We also provided copies of the children’s book for local teachers to use in their classrooms.
By helping children learn empathy and kindness at a young age, we hope to inspire a future where animals are treated with care and respect. Real change begins with education, open dialogue, and working together.
Inspiring Compassion Through Education
While in Barcelona, we joined SOS Galgos for one of their School Workshops at the shelter. These workshops teach children about the lives of Galgos, the hardships many face, and why compassion matters.
The day ended with a special reading program. Children sat quietly, reading their favorite books aloud while the dogs rested beside them. For many rescued Galgos, who arrive scared and unsure of people, these gentle moments help them relax and begin to trust again. Watching children and dogs comfort one another was incredibly moving and reminded us of the power of kindness.
Rescuing Aragon
We also spent time with a local rescuer named Martha, whose deep knowledge of the area helps SOS Galgos save dogs from dangerous situations. She guided our team through villages and pointed out places where Galgos have been abandoned or injured in the past.
That same day, we met a Galgo who had been found alone at a gas station near the highway. He had no home, no bed, and no name. We named him Aragon, after the region where he was found.
Aragon traveled back with us to the SOS Galgos shelter in Barcelona. He was calm and gentle during the long car ride and arrived just before sunset. There, he enjoyed a warm meal, a soft bed, and his first night of safety and love. Aragon is now receiving medical care and beginning his journey toward a forever home.
Bringing 15 Galgos to Safety
One of the most exciting parts of our trip was helping 15 Galgos travel to the United States. These are the dogs you helped fundraise for earlier this year. Because of generous donors like you, these dogs were given a second chance.
We ensured every dog was prepared for their trips, with medical care, spay or neuter surgeries, vaccines, and travel documents. The pups were driven overnight from Barcelona to Madrid. There, we built 15 travel crates, filled them with fresh linens, gave each dog a new coat, and made sure they could stretch their legs and drink water before their 9.5-hour flight.
Our team accompanied the dogs on their 9.5-hour journey to O’Hare International Airport. There, four amazing rescue partners were waiting to welcome them: American Greyhound, Inc., Serenity Animal Group, Kansas City Regap, and Magnificent Mutts & Meows Rescue.
Together, we watched as each Galgo took their first steps on U.S. soil, then continued to their foster and forever homes across the Midwest.
This trip reminded us that real change happens through many small but meaningful actions, whether it is a conversation with a mayor, a child reading to a rescue dog, a march through city streets, or a quiet car ride with a dog finally heading toward safety.
None of this would be possible without the compassion of our supporters. Because of you, these dogs are getting a second chance at life.
Thank you for standing with us and for helping create a kinder world for animals everywhere.