Q: How do I adopt an animal through the Sanctuary at Bluebird Lane?

A: Checkout our Adopt page.

Q: What is the adoption fee for a Galgo or Podenco from Spain?

A: $900. This includes a $100 “Walking Kit” fee so that your Galgo or Podenco arrives with a martingale, Bluebird tag collar, leash, and fleece coat.

Q: Can you give me a detailed history on my Galgo or Podenco?

A: Unfortunately no. Your dog was like brought into rescue in Spain from a kill shelter or from the streets. They may have been handed over by a hunter, but the hunters do not typically provide information on their favorite stuffie, preferred food, whether they like to sleep in, etc. because they have never been cared for like that. It is lucky if a hunter takes the dog to a shelter or relinquishes them to a rescue group.

Q: I’m interested in a specific dog, can you provide me with more videos and photos than you have already shared?

A: If we have additional photos or videos of the dog you are interested in we will happily share them with you. However keep in mind, especially if the dog you are interested in is still with a rescue in Spain, that our rescue colleagues in Spain have their feet on the ground and are dealing with the basic survival needs of many dogs each day. They are usually stretched to the limit, maxed out on stress, and dedicate many sleepless night to caring for you future dog. This means they do not typically have time to take a quiet moment and capture additional photos and videos of the dog you are interested in.

Q: What kind of food has my Galgo or Podenco been eating in Spain?

A: If possible, we will let you know what food your dog has been eating in advance of their arrival, so you can purchase that food for an easy transition to whatever you plan to feed. If we can, we will provide you with enough of the food they’re currently eating so that you can slowly introduce them to their new food (this is not always possible, especially for dogs traveling from a foreign country). We recommend adding a little at a time (quarter cup to start) and increasing at quarter cup intervals until you are fully feeding your new food. This should only take a few days. If your dog experiences tummy upset and loose stools from the stress of the transition, you can add a tbsp. or so of canned pumpkin to their morning feeding. If loose stools or tummy upset persists, please contact your vet, as this may be a sign of something more serious.

Q: Did my Galgo or Podenco live in a house while they were in Spain and will they like living with me?

A: Your Galgo or Podenco has either been in a foster home or in a kennel setting and is used to being with their foster family and/or other pack members. Please remember, especially if you do not have other dogs, that your dog will likely miss the comfort of familiar pack members and it may take them some time to feel safe without them. They may have traveled many miles or experienced hardships in their previous life. It is your job to comfort your dog and understand their initial need to acclimate. However, dogs are resilient, and they will soon understand how wonderful it is to be loved by you!

Q: I want to change my Galgo or Podencos name when they get here; is that a good idea?

A: If your Galgo or Podenco has been in rescue or residency for longer than a few months, they will know their name. If this is the case, we ask that you think long and hard before immediately changing it. The rescue may have been the first place your Galgo or Podenco ever felt safe. The first time anyone cared for them, gave them regular meals, a soft place to sleep, a collar and name of their very own. They leave all this behind when they head to the US. The leave their friends and perhaps the only humans that have ever shown them kindness. They travel on a long and stressful flight, go many hours without eating, change time zones, and sleep very little. They likely had a few days of domestic ground travel to get “home”. They will arrive exhausted, to a life they know nothing about, and their name will be the only thing that is familiar to them. Please understand the gravity of taking their name from them, the one thing they know and associate with safety, even if you may not like their name. Make it about them, not you. And if you do decide to change their name, do it naturally in time, with their input.

Q: What kind of collar is best for my Galgo or Podenco?

A: NOT a buckle collar. The safest collar for your confident Galgo or Podenco is a martingale, because their head is slightly smaller than their neck and its easy for regular, buckle collars to slip off. If your Galgo or Podenco is skittish or nervous the safest, and only, harness we recommend is the Houndstown Safety Banner Harness (store on Etsy). Please never use a buckle collar or retractable leash on your Podenco or Gaglo.

Q: Will my Galgo or Podenco arrived house trained?

A: No. They have most likely been living in a kennel situation. It may take your new Galgo or Podenco sometime to adjust to your daily routines, feeding schedules, potty times, and bedtimes. This is especially true if they have been in a kennel setting where they can go to the bathroom whenever they want. Expect accidents in the beginning and please be patient with them, they will get it eventually! They will likely drink more water and go to the bathroom much more frequently the first couple of weeks due to stress, new foods, and the process of adjusting to a new schedule. We recommend belly bands for boys, setting an alarm for letting them out every hour or so until you know their bathroom schedule, which includes outside immediately after they eat, first thing in the morning, last thing before bed, and every couple of hours when they first get home, so they understand where to go and chances for accidents are decreased as their bodies and minds adjust to their new lives.

Q: Why does my Galgo or Podenco want to chase cats and counter surf?

A: Your Galgo or Podenco likely comes from hunting stock. They may have had to survive on the streets or in the wild. They are likely to have had a hard life with little positive human experience prior to being in rescue. They may not have received the best nutrition or care in the first part of their lives. Please keep this in mind if the very qualities that have kept them alive mean they counter surf, want to eat small furry creatures, have an intense prey drive, think nothing of jumping your fence or exhibit intense “flight” behaviors. What we may see as undesirable qualities are the very reasons your dog is even here today. Give them time and love to understand a new way of being in the world. This does not apply to every Galgo or Podenco, but in case it applies to your Galgo or Podenco, be aware and support them.

Q: Why isn’t my Galgo or Podenco just like a Greyhound/Doodle/Lab/Etc.?

A: Your Gaglo or Podenco was bred to be an independent thinker with great endurance, prey drive and focus. These are fantastic qualities, but if not channeled into positive outlets can be challenging, so please make sure to provide your dog with the patience, time, love, and mental/physical stimulation they need to thrive. This will be DIFFERENT for every dog. If your dog is nervous at first, they may be more included to chew or experience separation anxiety, so give them plenty of appropriate things to satisfy these needs, like bully sticks from grass fed animals and Himalayan chews, otherwise they may make do with your couch or slippers.

Q: Will my Galgo or Podenco like children?

A: It depends on the animal and how you allow your child to interact with them. We can’t tell you that a specific dog who has never been around children will like them. What we can tell you, is that if you do have children, it is important to make sure they are supervised as they learn to play with and handle your dog, as dogs quickly learn children are dangerous if they are handled roughly or hurt by unknowing children and this can have lasting negative effects for both hounds and children.

Q: Why isn’t my new dog relaxing with relief and jumping up and down with glee now that they have a home?

A: It can take time for a rescue dog to feel safe and relaxed in their new home. Please don’t forget the rescue, “Rule of 3’s” as your new Galgo or Podenco settles in. It can take a rescue dog 3 days to even begin to feel safe, 3 weeks for them to start to feel comfortable and safe, and 3 months before they really start to settle in and trust that they are “home” and part of a family. Some dogs need no time, some need a little time, and some need a long time to finally feel safe and really come into their own.