Homing Crisis

The Retired Greyhound Trust has launched a desperate appeal to animal lovers in and around Shropshire to adopt one of hundreds of homeless greyhounds.

The RGT is in the midst of a homing crisis with more than 30 dogs in Shropshire needing homes and nowhere for them to go. The charity has more than 1,000 dogs in kennels across the country waiting for new homes and another 1,000 who have recently retired and are waiting for a space in their kennels.

The Trust is calling for big hearted families in the Shropshire area to consider a pet greyhound like Bliss.

Ivor Stocker, Director of the Retired Greyhound Trust, said: "As the nation tightens its belt we find ourselves suffering as a charity. The sooner we can find good homes for those in kennels then the sooner we can free up space for the many more who are on our waiting list.

"We find ourselves in a very strange position. We announced record homings last year with 4,700 dogs going to loving homes. We are nearly half way through the year and we are already well down on homings, which is a huge worry.

"Greyhounds make fantastic pets. They undergo a transformation when they leave the track. They turn from speed machines to docile couch potatoes who love to loll around and get fussed. All they want is a loving family or owner to look after them. Contrary to popular belief, most greyhounds get on well with other pets, including other dogs and cats.

"More and more retired couples and older people who are on their own are taking on retired greyhounds as companions. The fact that they only require two twenty minute walks a day suits many people whose circumstances mean they can't get out for long walks several times a day."

He continued: "The volunteers at our Shropshire & Borders branch are very experienced at ensuring that the right dog goes with the right family. So we can effectively provide people with a 'tailor-made' pet whose personality suits you and your lifestyle."

To find out more about adopting a retired greyhound, contact:

• Retired Greyhound Trust, tel: 0844 826 8424 or log on to www.retiredgreyhounds.co.uk.

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• GRSB, tel:  01743 872395 or send a message via our contact page.

For further media information, photographs or interviews please contact: Helen Barklam in the Retired Greyhound Trust communications team, tel: 01772 316924 or 07917 148900.