Alex Ballinger MP visits Blue Cross rehoming centre
Alex Ballinger MP last week visited Blue Cross’s rehoming centre in Bromsgrove, where he met many pets who are looking for new homes, including ex-racing greyhound Mario.
Blue Cross is calling for a phased end to greyhound racing to give dogs like Mario the life they deserve as a cherished family pet. The national pet charity has cited concerns about welfare standards faced by racing greyhounds up and down the country. These include concerns about the safety of tracks, the conditions at trainers’ kennels, issues around transporting the dogs, and the fate of greyhounds who are retired from the ‘sport’.
The industry’s own statistics reveal that between 2017 and 2024, over 4,000 greyhounds have died or were put to sleep as a result of their involvement in greyhound racing, and more than 35,000 injuries were suffered by dogs involved in the practice.
Alex Ballinger MP for Halesowen said: “Following my visit to a Blue Cross charity shop in May, it was wonderful to see the work that their fundraising supports in the West Midlands, and to meet some of my prospective four-legged future constituents!”.
Becky Thwaites, Head of Public Affairs at Blue Cross, said: "We are delighted that Alex Ballinger MP was able to visit our Blue Cross Bromsgrove rehoming centre to see for himself how tirelessly our teams work to improve the lives of thousands of pets, including ex-racing greyhounds like Mario.”
With the increasing demand for Blue Cross pet welfare services, the charity needs the support of animal lovers in the West Midlands to continue its work helping pets and their people, in any way they can. Whether that is by donating to keep rehoming and veterinary services going through these tough times, fundraising for Blue Cross, providing foster care for pets while loving new homes are found, volunteering at pet food banks, or signing up to support Blue Cross campaigns for better pet welfare bluecross.org.uk
