Orlando is a Spanish rescue dog whose journey began on the unforgiving streets of Spain, where he was found malnourished. Here’s how Orlando, a Spanish Mastin, went from being a street dog to a thriving companion in the UK.

Imagine a world filled with hunger and fear. That was Orlando’s reality, and unfortunately, it is the reality for thousands of dogs in Spain. Abandoned and struggling to find food, Orlando was a mere shadow of his potential.

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Orlando when he first arrived at the shelter

Rescue dogs in Spain may seem a million miles away, but in the UK, we can help. The situation is very different from the UK; here, if a dog is found without an owner, it is all over social media with people trying to find the owner. In Spain, it has been known for dogs to be poisoned, left injured, beaten, or even shot. Thankfully, Sonia and Carmen from the shelter were able to intervene; they took Orlando in, providing him with the care and love he desperately needed.

Hundreds of thousands of animals are thought to be abandoned every year in Spain, and hunting dogs are not covered by welfare laws, which leads to abandonment and inhumane killing of some dogs when they are no longer required when the hunting season is over. Some people may be quick to assume a “hunting” dog is not a suitable pet, however, this is not the case; Beagles are hunting dogs and much-loved pets.

It is important to stress that there are many people in Spain who work incredibly hard to help the dogs there. Also,  Spain has recently updated their animal welfare laws which is certainly a step in the right direction.

At the shelter, Orlando began to blossom

Regular meals, shelter, and the gentle touch of caring humans started to mend Orlando’s broken spirit. His playful personality peeked through, and his tail wags became more frequent. But the dog still needed a home to call his own.

Orlando just before he left the shelter to travel to the UK

Today, Orlando lives a life of luxury compared to his past struggles. He enjoys walks with his family, saying hello to everyone he meets, cuddles on the couch, and meals that never leave him hungry. His playful spirit has fully bloomed, he has started putting on weight and he is a much-loved member of the family.

Orlando out for a walk with the transporter, on his way from Spain to the UK

Orlando’s story is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of rescue. Animals Help, Spanish Happy Tails Rescue UK, and many other organizations involved with Spanish rescue dogs work tirelessly to give dogs like Orlando a second chance. Spanish stray dogs, often neglected or hurt, have so much love to offer and deserve a life full of love, warmth, and never having to worry about where their next meal is coming from again.

There are misconceptions that street dogs are unhealthy or bad dogs, and while it is true that many of the dogs that are rescued need worm, flea, and tick treatment when they first arrive at the shelter, this should not stop them from finding a home of their own. Blood tests are performed to check for Leishmaniasis, Brucella canis, heartworm, and other diseases. Responsible adoption is important to us, not only in relation to the homes the dogs go to and their assessments in the shelter, but also the health checks that are done before adoption.

Orlando at home in the UK

Not knowing the history of a dog is also an understandable concern for some people. We can tell you everything we know about how the dog is now, not how they behaved in the past. A quote we love is, “You can’t change a dog’s past, but you could rewrite his future” – original origin unknown.

We understand that adopting a dog you have not met before takes the utmost trust in the organization you are dealing with, and the more you know about the dogs, the more you can understand their character. We are able to connect you directly with the shelter and can answer any questions you have about the dog you would like to adopt; they will also send photo and video updates to you.

Many Spanish rescue dogs have faced challenging circumstances before ending up in shelters. This can make them adaptable and resourceful. Spain has a long history with working dogs, and many Spanish breeds are known for their quick learning abilities. If you are looking to adopt a dog, there are many out there looking for a home, and we would encourage people to consider adopting a rescue dog.

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Orlando’s story is a testament to the resilience of dogs and the incredible work of Animals Help, the shelter we support in Northern Spain

Orlando is doing amazingly well; he has settled in and enjoys playing with all his dog family and friends in the local area. He loves to cuddle with his human dad, and his family absolutely adores him. He can be sneaky and opens bedroom doors so he can jump on the beds; Spanish Mastins are big dogs and can easily use their chin to pull down a door handle!

We are incredibly happy for Orlando and very grateful for the work the shelter does to help rescue dogs. We are proud to play a part in helping these dogs by connecting them with their new families. Seeing them surrounded by love and living a safe and fulfilling life is an incredible experience, one that we can’t quite put into words.

He’s just a little lap dog, really

Spanish dog rescue UK organisations have countless amazing dogs like Orlando waiting for their forever homes. Consider opening your heart and home to a deserving rescue dog from Spain and experience the joy of giving a dog a chance to thrive.

Potential adopters complete an application form. Their answers enable us to understand their lifestyle, home situation, experience with dogs, and expectations of adopting a rescue dog from Spain. From there, we continue to a home check where we can discuss the application in full, the dog they are applying to adopt, the dog’s body language, and behaviors they may show when they first arrive home. Everything is new for the dog, who may not have lived in a home before, so understanding their subtle body language is key to being able to understand how they are coping and how you can help them.

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It is likely that the dogs that have been rescued from the streets have not lived in a home before, so the smells and sounds of home will be new to them. Adopters also need to consider that the dog has traveled by road for over a day, sometimes two, so they need to have time to decompress and adjust to their new environment.

Once your adoption is confirmed, the shelter and the rescue deal with everything needed for the dog to travel. We book the transport for you and keep you informed; all you need to do is get excited and prepared for your dog coming home.

We also have a private adopters group, which is an amazing, non-judgmental, supportive community where dog photo spam is encouraged!

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