22nd July
From Tina: "This morning we had a meeting about the project plans. Thank you Sam and Louise for helping during that gruelling few hours. We just made a few final changes as once the plans are submitted they can't be modified so we really need to be sure we are happy and will have everything the center needs to function well.
Soon we hope to be able to show you some plans online and get you some figures for phase two which will be to erect the first set of kennels. This figure is unfortunately going to be higher than we would want because it includes costs for all the initial paperwork, electricity, water and underground work for drainage etc. Once this is done it's done but has to be done as part of the next phase.
Like I said before this is a huge project, I'm nervous but will go for it with your help and support. The galgos in Murcia will benefit greatly and that's the dream. Sorry it's slow but measure twice and cut once as the saying goes!"
24th July
From Tina: "So we have some news about the GDS Centre. I'm so nervous and overwhelmed because the project is huge. It won't be built overnight but Rome wasn't built in a day either. This is for the galgos of Murcia to have their very own Rome, well, at least have a proper facility. The galgos need this and GDS needs this in order to continue.
At present the galgueros (hunters) are working with us, they like us, they want our help but the current facilities can’t accommodate any more and I am working around the clock. We need to keep going and growing. So, after speaking with the architect and engineer, we have our first target for the second phase. We need to submit the paperwork, which unfortunately, is very costly here in Spain but unavoidable. We will follow the law to the letter and have a proper legal facility so that no one can denounce us.
With a proper facility, we can have education programs and most importantly, a volunteer program so everyone can visit and spend time with our amazing dogs. We need to install the electricity, water, underground drainage facilities and the first set of kennels and buildings that will get us out of the current rented fincas and onto our new land. The rest of the project, once we are in, will be easier with all this difficult paperwork and groundwork in accomplished.
The first set of kennels will hold all the current GDS galgos, podencos and mixes — all 92 at present. In total when finished, we plan to house 300 galgos (and a few podencos and mixes as we cannot turn our backs on abused animals that come our way). It will be step-by-step, right? So how much do we need to raise? Remember thanks to all of you, we have already raised money to buy the land, taxes, notary and cover the costs of the engineer, the drawings and first papers from the council. WE DID IT. We achieved it together. Now I truly believe we can do it again.
Now we need to raise… OMG I'm scared… 300,000 euros to get us out of multiple rental facilities and onto our own property with the first fully functioning kennels, exercise area and building. We would like to put in the first set of papers in September and start aiming to build this winter… Please understand that this amount of money is not for anything extravagant — just basic structures to ensure that the dogs are safe and have what they deserve and need.
Starting now, we will be putting on fundraisers and you can choose which one to participate in or if you are feeling generous, take part in them all. Coming up, we will have a short film documentary made which will highlight our day-to-day operations and why our cause is so urgent and why the Centre is so badly needed.
We will keep everyone informed of activities and progress on our website Centre page http://www.galgosdelsol.org/gds-centre/ And we hope to add a widget that shows donation progress if we can figure that out. We will try and make it all as much fun as possible and include you in every possible way. Are you with us? We need you! Are you ready? Now is your chance to shine for the Galgos... What do you think???? Tell me!!!!"
First fundraiser for stage one of phase two.
From Tina: "Do you want to be a part of GDS's history? Yessssssss!!!!!
We are going to do something very special that will be part of the present and the future of GDS...guess what?
We are going to bury on the land where the future centre is going to be ........ a TIME CAPSULE!!!
We want to fill the time capsule with letters written by you all with your feelings, thoughts, hopes, pictures etc. In 100 years the time capsule will be open by the future generations and they will know how much we all fought for the welfare of the dogs especially the galgos.
None of the letters will be opened when they arrive to us so express yourself!! Go for it! Live dangerously!
If you want to be part of this and at the same time help the dogs send your letter to Galgos del Sol, The post room Box 20, centro commercial Balneario, c/rio Borines 68-18, 30710, Los Alcazaras, Murcia, Spain and paypal 10€ for each letter to galgosdelsol@hotmail.com and clearly mark your name/time capsule. It's important to write your name and senders address on the back of yr envelope so we know where the letter has come from.
The deadline to pay is the end of August. We will wait for all the letters to arrive before burying the time capsule!
We will make sure none of the dogs discover the time capsule incase of digging on the land so please no treats for dogs inside the letters! thank you for your support! I'm doing one.... Writing it right now!!! I want to be there when they open all the letters!!!!!
It will be similar to this!"
Please support GdS, check out their new Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/GDS-Fundraisers-for-Stage-one-Phase-two/1458343654431986?ref=ts&fref=ts
Main page is https://www.facebook.com/pages/Galgos-del-Sol/175718192447988?ref=ts&fref=ts
