In November, trustees Christine and Sam had the privilege of visiting SOS Galgos in Barcelona, witnessing firsthand the incredible work being done at this remarkable shelter.
Hidden away on the outskirts of Barcelona, the shelter exudes a warm, peaceful atmosphere. It’s a space designed with both the dogs and school children in mind, and we were amazed by how calm and relaxed the dogs were.
The shelter is compact yet thoughtfully designed, with substantial pens where the dogs can snooze, run, and play, a welcoming outside classroom area and alongside the property Anna and her team have even created a ‘run’— a dedicated space for the dogs to stretch their legs and burn off energy.
The shelter has two dedicated indoor classrooms as well as the outdoor area tailored for visiting schools. During our visit, we were fortunate to observe a group of six-year-old school children experiencing the shelter for the first time. It was fantastic to watch them engage with the team and learn about the dogs. The team are brilliant with the children; for example, one boy who was initially afraid of the galgos found confidence when he was given the job of being the “vet” in a role-playing activity. By the end, he proudly stroked and pretended to vaccinate one of the dogs.
What stood out most was how the children’s understanding evolved. While they quickly identified food and water as essential for a dog’s well-being, it took guidance from Sara, the workshop leader, to help them realise that dogs need love and a family just like them.
It is moments like these that highlight the importance of the work done by rescues to educate the humans, as well as the rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming of the dogs – it really is a significant challenge.
Anna had just received the new Activity Booklets we created this year, and it was a joy to see the children’s excitement as they delved into them. Each child also left with a cuddly galgo toy, a wristband reading “I love galgos,” and beaming smiles
Looking Ahead
Our visit wasn’t just inspiring—it was brimming with ideas. We came away full of plans to support the education programme further. Watch this space for exciting updates! We are so proud to continue supporting Anna and her phenomenal team as they create brighter futures for galgos.
Trustees Sam and Christine
