Dog Heroes: The Organizations that Rescue Dogs from High Kill Shelters in the EU.

Every year tens of thousands of stray dogs disappear without a chance to survive. They are illegally and inhumanely destroyed in killing stations across Europe.

In Hungary, stray dogs live on the streets fighting for their survival day by day. They multiply randomly and live where they are not wanted. Twenty thousand of them are caught by dog catchers yearly. They are taken to High Kill Shelters, or killing stations, as they are called in Europe, where they are are destroyed. There are 115 killing stations in Hungary.

The cost for the Hungarian government to cover the expenses of killing stations is seventeen million years annually. The cost of neutering and spaying the approximately 29,000 stray dogs, would only cost the Hungarian government two million euros per year.

The animal welfare organization Tierheimleben-in-Not e.V., Germany, rescues stray dogs from Hungary. TIN has a large operation and oversees six animal shelters. They have also drawn the locals’ attention to the atrocities at the Dombovar killing station and have managed to turn it into an animal shelter. TIN also finances the medical care for the animals at Dombovar. However, the city still retains the power to order the animals be destroyed.

TIN rehabilitates, cares for, spays, neuters, feeds and places the animals in foster or forever homes. TIN also provides support in the construction of projects for the shelters, covers veterinary costs and food for the animals in them. TIN conducts mediation with the local Hungarian authorities in order to relieve the number of animals in these shelters, so that they are not euthanized and instead, transported to Germany. At the Dombovar killing station, TIN has worked to extend the holding period for search deadlines, feeds and looks after the dogs.

TIN‘s adoption procedure and mediation process is very thorough. The association has long preliminary discussions and personal interviews with the prospective adoptive families in order to know how the dog will live in the future. A self-assessment form must be completed, and the association also provides advice as to whether the dog or family may be suitable for each other in any given household. The dogs are adopted with all of their vaccinations up to date, with microchip, and export and entry documents for their new country. The complex paperwork is known as TRACES. TIN undertakes this time-consuming process free of charge. All dogs have undergone veterinary check ups before travelling. The association can arrange transport for dogs to new homes in: Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands. TIN only uses an official dog transporting service, which transports the dogs from Hungary to their new home. The transporter works exclusively for TIN and in collaboration with the organization’s competent veterinary office.

TIN and its volunteer team rely solely on donations, and they do not receive any government funding. The organization receives donations for the transport and departure of the dogs, as well as for spaying and neutering, all from private donors. From their website you may adopt, sponsor, foster, or make a donation to support TIN’s efforts to fight animal cruelty and provide essential services to dogs and cats in dire need.

In other EU countries, like Spain, killing stations are a big business. Killing stations receive money from local town halls of villages and cities for catching fees. The dogs are illegally and inhumanely destroyed. In most cases, these killing stations do not adhere to the 14 day stipulated wait time for a dog or cat to be held before it is euthanized. The animials are kept on bread and water in appalling, unsanitary living conditions and destroyed as cheaply as possible.

At a killing station in Mairena, Seville, Spain, the management of the station does not collaborate on any cases with non-governmental agencies who want to rescue the dogs. Some animal welfare associations like Pro Galgo have said that the cost of rescuing the dogs is too high for their organization. They say the killing stations sets such high fees, that it makes it impossible for associations, who are operating on small donations, to be able to afford to rescue the poor dogs from this killing station. As a result, many of the dogs are not rescued and die in extreme pain and hunger.

Animal cruelty is rampant in Spain because of the lack of committment from the government to animal rights. Bullfighting, the bloodsport where bulls are taunted, mamed and psychologically abused, is a prime example of animal cruelty in this country. The Seprona division (Nature Protection Service) of the Guardia Civil, which is coordinated by the Ministry of the Interior, has the authority to take action against animal cruelty and to enforce existing laws against animal cruelty and negligence. But there is still a dispute within Spanish law as to whether dogs can be considered victioms of cruelty. There is a total lack of control between animal control and law enforcement. Furthermore, there are no felony provisions for animal cruelty and abandonment, which make it one of the worst countries in terms of animal protection laws.

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Valencia Perrera Dogs, Valencia, Spain, has saved 95% of dogs in Valencia high kill shelters. This animal welfare association also raises money for animal surgeries and spay and neuter campaigns for stray dogs.

Society for the Care of Animals in Need, or SCAN, Costa Blanca, Spain, is a registered charity that rescues distressed dogs and cats, provides shelter for them, arranges the necessary medical care, and finds the animals safe, new homes. SCAN is one of the most active and effective animal welfare associations in the area and has successfully found homes in Spain and internationally, for around 3,000 cats and dogs. SCAN is accredited to legally arrange (via TRACES) the transport of animals accross borders. Dogs are adopted in the UK, Germany, France, Switzerland, Finland and the USA. SCAN also advocates with local Town Halls to help them understand the evolving legislative frameworks, promotes the importance of responsible pet ownership at schools, and works closely with other shelters to help them create the best practise care for their animals. SCAN is entirely financed by their supporters from around the world. You can adopt, sponsor, donate or become a member of SCAN.

Galgos del Sol is a licensed charity in Murcia, Spain. Galgos del Sol rescues Spanish Galgos and Podencos. The Center holds 160 dogs, and it is run by Tina Solis and her family. Galgos are an ancient breed of sighthound which were once bred by Spanish nobles. Today Galgos are one of the most abandoned, neglected and abused dogs on the planet. Tens of thousands of Galgos are killed each year in Spain, countless are abandoned and tied to trees after the hunting season has finished. Most of the Galgos that Tina Solis and her team rescue are physically injured and mentally traumatized. The dogs are rehabilitated and socialized by animal behaviourists. The kennels are only a temporary situation, as the goal is for the dogs to be fostered or adopted into forever homes. Galgos del Sol also has an education and outreach program, which is an important part of what Tina Solis’ mission is: to teach children to develop empathy towards a dog’s needs. Galgos del Sol needs your help to stop the suffering of this gentle, quiet and laid back breed, you can sponsor a hound, donate and adopt one of these sweet, adorable dogs. Galgos del Sol transports these dogs all over the world to forever homes, including to the United States.

These animal rescue and rehabilitation organizations are of vital importance for the survival of so many dogs. They face huge challenges, do not have the funding and recognition that The Humane Society or PETA have, but do equally vital work for less than fortunate animals.

The aforementioned associations should be put in the Animal Rights Activists’ spotlight, so that people all over the world can help them in their mission. Humans have a responsibility to honor and protect dogs and animals. The dog is the most faithful, protective, loyal, trustworthy, noble and loving animal in the world.

We need to push for stronger animal cruelty laws and train law officials to detect and prosecute crimes against dogs, and all animals, around the world. Animal cruelty should be a felony conviction in countries like Spain and Hungary. There should be much more oversight from international animal rights organizations in the EU to force the governments in Hungary and Spain to stop the illegal and inhumane euthanization of dogs and cats. By passing more agressive legislation, these governments could put a stop to animal cruelty, killing stations, and make spaying and neutering mandatory. The animals must all be handed over to animal welfare associations, where they will have a chance to survive, and be adopted into safe, healthy and humane environments free from neglect and cruelty.

“If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and man.”  – Mark Twain