News
Record Year for Hall Green Stadium’s Retired Greyhound Trust
07/01/08
Hall Green Stadium’s Retired Greyhound Trust has enjoyed a record year - with homes found for 50 per cent more dogs than the previous year.
The RGT’s team of 40 volunteers also raised thousands of pounds for the charity, with help from Hall Green Greyhound Stadium in Birmingham.
The trust’s best ever year saw 182 retired racers find homes in 2007, compared to 120 in 2006.
And the dogs enjoy rolling fields and a lot of fuss between their racing days and joining a loving family, at their kennels on a farm near Stourbridge.
Rose Morgan has been volunteering for the RGT for seven years, since 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 - by telling people what great pets greyhounds make.
“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.”
Greyhounds don’t require any special diet and only need two 20 minute walks a day. The RGT stays in touch after the dog has gone to a new home, to make sure everything runs smoothly. And they work with a dog training school in Solihull which offers dog training classes just for greyhounds on Wednesday nights.
Rose adds: “We’re not just pushing the dog off and saying goodbye, we place them in stable, loving, responsible homes and we’re always here for advice, help and support.
“We see the RGT as a family and the network of friends keeps growing.”
The RGT is a pro-active charity which holds monthly fundraising nights at Hall Green Greyhound Stadium, awareness-raising events throughout the Midlands, attends dog shows and much more.
For more information about Hall Green Retired Greyhound Trust, please call 0121 426 4810, email enquiries@hallgreenrgt.co.uk or visit the website at www.hallgreenrgt.co.uk
ENDS
For more information please contact Clive Reeves on 01543 501111 or email clive@wardlovett.com