Our team
It takes teamwork to make the dream work!
We are a small team made up of a few passionate and dedicated individuals located around the world, all working towards the same goals - to educate and raise awareness of the plight of the Spanish Podenco and to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome the Podencos who need us most. We are their voice.
Together we are stronger.
Our founders Irene and Steve.
Irene and Steve Allan previously ran a dog grooming business together in Scotland. They moved to Orihuela (south of Alicante) in Spain in 2009 and donated their services to local rescues grooming the dogs to help with re-homing. As they met new people and more and more dogs, they became aware of the need to help this particular breed - Podencos. By 2014 they had set up the first Hope for Podencos sanctuary at their converted Finca.
In 2017 Irene received a call to rescue a Podenco in Valencia that they knew was in desperate need of help. This Podenco was brought to them and taken straight to the vets. She was named Princess Leia, to inspire strength. Sadly she did not make it, Irene and Steve could not let this one go, they had seen too much and felt the need to be able to save more - setting up the Hope For Podencos Centre in 2017.
Sadly Irene tragically passed in 2020, but Steve continues to spearhead the charity supported by the wider team and the vision and dream lives on, stronger than ever.
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Rehome and socials
Gemma has four Podencos, her most recent additions are Willow (was Cookie) and Chance, both from Hope for Podencos but long before that, she’s been supporting the charity and helping to organise events and fundraisers from the UK.
Gemma runs the an amazing Facebook page to help people in the UK match with podencos looking for their forever homes in the UK - UK based Podencos for adoption. It also means she is best placed to lead on any rehomes that are needed.
Gemma also volunteers for Helpers of the Pods and Dogs and does great work across both rescues.
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Foster and training
Cara adopted Millie from Hope for Podencos in 2017 and has since adopted another three Podencos. She has continued to support HFP and other rescues by bringing them together to raise awareness, fundraising, fostering & offering support across multiple platforms and in person.
Cara is a very specialist foster who takes on some of the trickier cases, we know these pods are ready for their forever homes after a couple of weeks in Cara’s excellent care.
Cara also volunteers for Helpers of the Pods and Dogs, sharing her expertise with many people across the podenco community.
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Foster and socials
Genna has been part of the team and fostering pods for many years now. She takes on some of our toughest cases and gives them the love and space they need to adjust to life as a pet.
Genna has supported us with fundraisers, appeals and events. Her experience is invaluable as we grow out our foster network to help the pods in need.
Her kindness and compassion knows no end and she is always happy to share her experiences for any new foster joining the HFP family!
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Adoptions and website
Clare adopted her first Podenco Lottie from Hope For Podencos in 2017 and offered Irene and Steve her services to build a new website. She continues to manage it to this day!
Clare was instrumental in helping to save the centre in early 2018 through persistent fundraising and connecting with our supporters on social media.
Clare leads on all adoptions and takes calls with all team members based on the needs of the adopter - to make sure that perfect match is made!
A HUGE thanks to everyone who has been part of the HFP family over the years!
A special thanks to our Spanish team that gave Irene so much support when Steve was still transporting, and lifted Steve back up in such hard times. We will miss you, but who knows what the future holds as we grow, you are family and we know you will always be by our side.
To every team member that volunteered, ran socials, shared, raised funds, adopted, fostered, ran events - you are missed and welcome back anytime!