Charity races to best ever year

More than 180 retired racing greyhounds have found new homes over the past year due to the work of a dedicated charity based in the Black Country.

Volunteers at all Green Retired Greyhound Trust (RGT), Stourbridge, have reported their most successful year yet, with 182 retired racers finding new homes during 2007. The figure is up from 120 dogs rehomed over the same period in 2006. Charity workers are supported by the Hall Green Greyhound Stadium, in Birmingham.

Other funds raised by the group's own 40-strong volunteering team.

Dogs are cared for at kennels just outside Stourbridge between ending their racing careers and finding a new home.

Volunteer Rose Morgan, who has been with the charity for seven years, said it had been a successful year for the trust.

She first volunteered after seeing a leaflet and taking home retired greyhound Millie.

"Apart from being physically beautiful and elegant, they are gentle, affectionate, loyal and very undemanding dogs," she said.

"They are just the easiest animals to care for and they adapt so well to family life. They are ideal companions for anyone of any age, because no two dogs are the same and their personalities are matched to the person they are joining."

Rose said everyone involved in Hall Green RGT, one of 70 branches of the trust nationwide, was delighted with its success but determined it will carry on in 2008.

"I think people see the image of greyhounds racing, with muzzles on and they think they are aggressive animals, but they are not," she said.

"We do our best to get to know the dogs and match them to the right family, because some are very quiet and some are more energetic or boisterous.

"But they are all low maintenance."

She said the trust stays in touch after the dog has gone to a new home, to make sure everything runs smoothly.

For more information about the Hall Green Retired Greyhound Trust, people should telephone 0121 426 4810 or send an email to enquiries@hallgreenrgt.co.uk