The Male Galgo Project was born in 2017, following a visit to La Guarida, one of the poorest and most overcrowded shelters in Spain where we found a huge number of male galgos, some of whom had been there for years. In talking to the founder of Galgos En Familia, one of our partner shelters, we realised that shelters that prepare dogs for adoption usually limit the number of males as they can become competitive for females and this can escalate to fights between them. So a different solution was needed for these poor dogs who also deserve the chance of a better life. So Extraordinary Galgos & Podencos, in collaboration with Galgo Podenco Support, Greatful Greyhounds and Galgos En Familia set up the Male Galgo Project. The principle is as follows: male dogs from poor shelters, from pounds with a high percentage of euthanasia or from precarious situations where their lives are in great danger, are placed in private kennels where they are prepared medically and psychologically for adoption. Since the foundation of this wonderful program, we have rescued more than 100 invisible males, now adopted all over Europe and North America.

The project only survives thanks to public donations. If you would like to make a difference you can of course donate to EGP or sponsor a male by contacting Telma Shaw from Galgo Podenco Support. Males are wonderful and they too should have the right to the happiness of a family that loves and respects them.

SOMETIMES THE DEEPEST SCARS ARE THE ONES YOU CAN’T SEE.

Since the adoption of Chendo, those terrified galgos and podencos, prostrate at the back of their kennel, never stopped haunting Isabelle because she sees in them all the suffering of her own dog but also their incredible potential to blossom in the right family. This is how she developed the idea of a project to bring some of those who need it most to Canada, to help them rebuild their confidence in humans and in life… show them that they are no longer in the dark cave of a galguero and walk with them towards the sun, one step at a time, one dog at a time, one foster family at a time.

Our love story with Middle Eastern dogs began in 2021, when Galgopod, a U.S. non-profit organization, asked Extraordinary Galgos and Podencos to take three Salukis under its wing. Since the ban on the importation of dogs into the United States from over 100 countries, an overcrowded shelter in Kuwait was calling to Canadians for help. We didn't hesitate for a second to accept this new challenge without imagining yet what this new adventure would become.

Kuwait is a wealthy country which, ironically, is one of the places in the world with the highest number of abandoned dogs. For its wealthy population, animals are just another possession. From the smallest to the largest and of all breeds, pedigree dogs are bought and imported to Kuwait from all over the world. Thousands of extraordinary dogs are quickly thrown into the scorching heat of the desert or the squalid market where the animals die of thirst, hunger and disease. So EGP teamed up with Become a foster gardian, a small organization that saves hundreds of lives each year.

However, it wasn't long before Canada was hit with the same import ban that was already in place in the United States. In a race against time, Operation Extraordinary Escape Middle East was born. In just three months, EGP completed the largest rescue effort in its history, finding loving families in Canada for 145 Kuwaiti dogs.

Unfortunately, as of September 2022, it is no longer possible for Canadians to adopt a dog from Kuwait. Our partner shelter is again overcrowded and left without any international help. We hope that the laws will change soon and in the meantime we try to support financially a few hundred dogs who have very little hope for a better life.

A «Wadi» is the name given to the street dogs of Oman. They originate from Arabian Village Dogs (the oldest known breed), Salukis and other breeds native to the Middle East. Most of them have a distinctive look (slim build, long legs, curly tail and big ears). As a general rule, wadi dogs are very intelligent, faithful, fast runners, affectionate and silly - basically, WONDERFUL!

Oman has no animal welfare laws and as a consequence, there is no government funding for charities or shelters. Wadi dogs are also despised by the general population of Oman, perceived as feral dogs or garbage. When not shot or beaten, they wander the streets trying to find food and shelter. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Extraordinary Galgos and Podencos partnered with Muscat Dog Adoption, a small organisation established in 2012 by a group of dog-loving volunteers in Oman, who aim to rescue injured and abandoned wadi dogs and then re-home them overseas.

In the Spring of 2022, they were forced to vacate their shelter when the land they rented was sold by the ministry of agriculture. As a result, all the shelter dogs urgently needed to find homes and FAST. The organisation reached out to EGP for help. And just like that, we did it! Our great operation called WADIS’ CANADIAN DREAM brought 50 wadi dogs to Canadian families.  

Muscat Dog Adoption is still pursuing its mission, rescuing as many dogs as they can, but unfortunately due to the import ban, it is no longer possible for Canadians to adopt a dog from Oman.