Greyhound Trust looking for South Ayrshire retirement homes

Aug 8 2008 by Stuart Wilson

THEY’RE renowned as champion sprinters who make money for owners and punters alike.

Now greyhounds are being hailed as the ideal family pet to beat the cute and cuddly labrador.

They might not be first choice for the TV producers choosing their next Andrex puppy.

But the loveable greyhound is making its case to take pride of place in living rooms after winding down the running career.

And for the people entrusted with re-homing the athletic dogs, they say greyhounds are a victim of bad press.

“There’s a big misconception that they need a lot of exercise and don’t make good pets,” says Caroline Finnett, chair of the Shawfield branch of the Retired Greyhound Trust.

She oversees a revolving door of greyhounds at Little Acres pet hotel, near Annbank, as they search for new homes.

“But the truth is these are lovely animals who fit in perfectly with everyday life.

“They hardly require any exercise because of their natural fitness and they’re very good people dogs.

“Sadly there’s not the interest in them that there should be, because people don’t realise how easy they are to keep.

“You can talk about cute dogs all you want, but greyhounds are as adorable as they come.”

The Retired Greyhound Trust have had the task of re-homing dogs for the past ten years.

Most of the dogs who come to the kennels have made their career from running at Shawfield stadium.

The Little Acres site can hold up to eight at a time from anywhere around the UK, and greyhounds are even donating blood to save their fellow canines.

Caroline, of Ayr, explained: “We get visits from the pet bloodbank because 95 per cent of greyhounds have a negative blood type which can be used on any other type of dog.

“They’re just great animals and I can’t recommend them enough to people on the lookout for a pet they can love and show affection to – because they’ll get it in return.”

The trust are also in need of help, possibly from a local business, for the running costs of their van.

And anyone interested in dog walking duties, or the greyhounds in general, can phone Caroline on 01292 263493.