Our network
The wonderful people that allow us to keep rescuing podencos.
We are humbled every day by the dedication and support we receive from the amazing people we work with who go above and beyond to help the dogs that are in need. Whether that is rescuing podencos off the street or out of the perreras, our wonderful network in Spain care for them in their kennels and in their homes, and do whatever it takes to get them ready for adoption.
And of course, our Hope for Podencos Champion - Life Like Charlie, who is a fantastic advocate and ambassador for the breed having adopted twice from us. Charlie promotes Hope For Podencos and donates generously, whilst also supporting a number of other charities who are all fighting for the same cause. We are incredibly grateful for Charlie, whose generosity has helped shape our future.
HFP Champion - Life Like Charlie
We have known Charlie for many years now, since he adopted his first Podenco Nala from us in 2019. Charlie has worked hard and built an incredible bond with Nala through dedicated training, patience and love that has seen her blossom. We weren’t surprised when Charlie and Nala became an internet sensation in early 2024, with Nala’s ‘mouth snappies’ entertaining millions on social media.
Not long after their rise to fame, Charlie felt like it was the right time to welcome a second podenco into his home, which led us to matching him with Monkey. We could not have done this without the hard work of Galgos del Sol who rescued and rehabilitated Monkey. She has settled in brilliantly and you can watch all of Charlie, Nala and Monkey’s adventures on @lifelikecharlie on both Tik Tok and Instagram.
With Charlie’s new found fame and platform, he helps us daily in every way he can. The thing we love the most about Charlie is his celebration and support of the breed which aligns so much with our ethos. Charlie is the first and only HFP Champion and we cannot thank him enough for his generous donations, shares and love of all things Podencos.
Viajando con Mimi.
For the past few years, we have been incredibly lucky to work with Oscar and Rafa at Viajando con Mimi, who help transport our Podencos safely from Spain to their new homes. The love and kindness they give the dogs in their care means we know they are in safe hands throughout their journey.
Their support goes beyond transport, with both Oscar and Rafa also helping dogs in need through their wider rescue networks — Oscar alongside Mamen and Claudia, and Rafa through Mastines En La Calle.
Casa de Postas.
Casa de Postas is a small refuge and recovery centre for abandoned animals based in Almonte, Huelva. Run by a non-profit association, the refuge is sustained through donations.
The dogs in their care live in small groups and in semi-freedom, where they are physically and psychologically rehabilitated and cared for while they wait to be adopted. Podencos are a particular passion of the team.
GPAR.
GPAR is an animal protection group and refuge based in Rute, Córdoba. Its roots began with local people rescuing abandoned dogs and cats from the streets before the group was formally established as GPAR in 2008.
The refuge is run with the support of dedicated volunteers and works to help abandoned animals recover and, most importantly, find permanent families.
La Huella Verde Olvera.
La Huella Verde Olvera is run by a small team of volunteers who rescue abandoned animals in and around Olvera. Inevitably this includes Podencos, who can be some of the hardest dogs for Spanish rescues to rehome locally.
We first worked together on a very special case in May 2023 and have remained close ever since. We now work together as partners, with HFP focusing on finding homes for the Podencos that come into their care.
Los amigos de Bingo.
Los Amigos de Bingo is a small rescue based in Seville, created from a shared desire to help animals in need.
They care for a relatively small number of dogs at any one time, allowing their team to give them plenty of individual care and attention. Like many of our other partners, Podencos can be particularly difficult for them to rehome locally, so HFP works alongside them as their Podenco breed specialist partner, helping to find homes for the Pods in their care.
Mastines En La Calle.
Manoli, Mamen and Rafa rescue abandoned and vulnerable dogs and bring them into their care for rehabilitation and rehoming. While Mastines are a particular passion of the association, they help dogs of all breeds in need — which inevitably includes Podencos.
We have worked with Rafa through transport for many years, so it was a natural progression for us to work together to help find homes for the Podencos that come into their care.
Rafa is also a co-founder of FENPCA, which works to improve the protection of dogs used for hunting, guarding and other working activities in Spain.
Miracle Hill (& Stichting Rubia).
Miracle Hill Dog Rescue is based in Almuñécar, Granada, and was founded by Jane Bussmann in partnership with Saskia van Huijgevoort of Stichting Rubia.
Miracle Hill has a different approach to traditional shelter life: its rescued dogs live in real homes with volunteers rather than in kennels or cages. This allows them to receive care and rehabilitation while becoming accustomed to living in a home environment and preparing for adoption.
We work alongside Miracle Hill to help find homes for the Podencos that come into their care.
Pepito (& Stichting Rubia).
Pepito is a non-profit dog shelter based in Benissa, continuing the work started by Akira Association in 2011. Their team rescues, cares for and rehomes abandoned and mistreated dogs from the areas of Benissa, Teulada and Moraira.
Their mission is to provide every dog that comes into their care with safety, care and a real chance of finding a happy home.
Working alongside Stichting Rubia, Pepito is now part of our network, allowing us to support the Podencos that come into their care.
The Podfather.
Nick, better known as The Podfather, lives in Oria and has rescued and rehabilitated more than 150 dogs of different breeds, helping them find homes across Europe. Over the years, Podencos have become a particular passion of his — something we of course have in common!
The dogs in Nick’s care benefit from a home environment, where they can learn to interact with people and other dogs, experience everyday home life and, most importantly, begin to feel safe and loved.
Rosy (private foster).
Rosy has been supporting Spanish rescue associations for many years and has become our guardian of Pods in Málaga. She is known locally for opening her home to stray Podencos, particularly mums and pups who need somewhere safe.
We are incredibly lucky to work with Rosy. The dogs in her care get to experience life as a pet, mixing with different dogs and, where possible, cats, helping to socialise them before they find their forever homes.
Rosy’s extensive knowledge is also a constant source of support to our team as we continue to learn and adapt within the ever-changing world of international rescue.
Stichting Rubia (Miracle Hill & Pepito).
Stichting Rubia is a foundation that works alongside two of our other partners, Miracle Hill and Pepito.
Their aim is to reduce animal suffering and improve the lives of dogs, particularly those living in Spanish shelters or on the streets. Their work includes supporting neutering projects, improving conditions within shelters, funding medical care and providing refuge for injured or neglected dogs.
They also support education and awareness around dog welfare, helping to create longer-term change alongside the immediate work of rescuing and caring for dogs in need.
Vidanimalis.
Vidanimalis is a non-profit organisation dedicated to animal protection and welfare. Based in Cantillana, Seville, they were founded in 2010 with the aim of challenging animal abandonment and abuse and promoting the protection of animals.
Like many of the associations we work with, they find themselves caring for Podencos who can be particularly difficult to rehome locally. After reaching out to HFP, we were very happy to work together to help find homes for the Podencos in their care.
Together we are stronger.
Our network is growing again which is really exciting and means we can help even more podencos find their happy ever after. Thank you to every association, individual and small business that works with us so that we can continue to grow, fight for change and show the world how incredible these dogs are!
If you would like to work with us please complete our rescue form.