Greyhound, Galgo, Podenco of Atlantic Canada (GGPAC) is a registered charity that is 100% managed by volunteers.
In 1994, Greyhound Pets of Atlantic Canada (GPAC) started transporting retired racing Greyhounds from the USA to Atlantic Canada. Through a wonderful network of Greyhound-loving volunteers, over 7,000 Greyhounds have retired happily in Atlantic Canadian homes.
The Greyhound adoption program has permanently closed. GGPAC continues to provide support for Greyhounds that were adopted through GPAC.
Everyone involved with GGPAC, including our Board of Directors, is a volunteer and all GGPAC activities are financed entirely through fundraising and donations.
GGPAC’s Mission is: to Partner with Spanish dog rescue groups and match rescued Galgos and Podencos with pre-approved Atlantic Canadian families, to help with a smooth transition to home life, and to continue legacy support of previously adopted Greyhounds.
Two distinct breeds of Spanish sighthounds called Galgos and Podencos sadly do not fall under animal protection laws in Spain – these dogs are seen as ‘a tool’ for hunting. Often kept in squalid conditions and mistreated, these persecuted dogs are heavily bred for pack hunting, resulting in many dogs needing help. Every year, following the competitive hare coursing events and the recreational hare hunting season in Spain, thousands of Galgos and Podencos are abandoned, killed, or worse.
How does GGPAC work? Building on the care and dedication of the amazing rescue organizations in Spain, GGPAC assesses both the rescued dogs and the candidate families to ensure the best possible matches and create the greatest chance of successful adoptions. GGPAC sends a patron to transport these carefully selected dogs from the rescue in Spain and GGPAC provides support to the adoptive families.
Why does GGPAC bring dogs from Spain to Canada? Galgos and Podencos are sensitive, trusting, loyal, smart, playful, majestic and beautiful dogs. Unfortunately, many of them live a life of starvation, neglect, torture and unimaginable pain in Spain.
Since 2020, GGPAC has transported and found homes for more than 50 rescued Galgos and Podencos.
GGPAC, as a Nova Scotia based charity, is governed by bylaws that are registered with the Registry of Joint Stock Companies. The all-volunteer Board of Directors is responsible for the day-to-day planning and organization of all the activities of the charity: fundraising activities and events, volunteer recruitment and coordination, budget management, member communications, liaison with potential adopters as well as the Spanish rescues, organizing transports, support of adopted Spanish dogs and Greyhounds (including emergency rehoming situations), regular Board meetings, government reporting, and our Annual General Meeting.
For more information, or to contact board members, click here.