News
MATCHMAKING DOGGIE HEAVEN FOR GREYHOUNDS!
After over 25 years in the business, Alison Waggott from Hollins Hall is retiring as a greyhound trainer to run her rehoming centre full time from her farm near Crook in County Durham - matchmaking the dogs with their perfect owner!
Alison is a very successful trainer at Tetley’s Sunderland Stadium and has had up to 70 dogs in training at any one time. Alison is passionate about greyhounds and decided that doing both jobs meant she wasn’t doing either effectively. Having previously won Top Trainer in local awards, she also won Best Rehomer in the North East last year, which covered nine tracks across the region.
“This gives me the opportunity to do something I love, which is working with greyhounds and making a difference to their lives by finding them the perfect home,” explained Alison. “I also get to visit them later on during follow ups so I can see how well they’re doing. And apart from that, I know nothing else other than greyhounds!”
Alison obviously knows the breed well and has been running the rehoming centre which is sponsored by William Hill for two years, in which time she has rehomed close to 100 greyhounds. The kennels have capacity for up to 30 dogs looking for homes and Alison has a very detailed adoption procedure to ensure the best result for all concerned.
“By running through a number of questions such as, will there be children or other pets around and will the dog be on its own for most of the day, I can match up the right greyhound for his new owners,” explained Alison. She normally introduces people to three or four dogs and lets them get to know each other. What is unusual, is that Alison then makes a home visit with the chosen dogs.
“By taking the dog to the new environment everyone can see how they behave and interact with other family members or pets. Some dogs will make the choice themselves and the minute they walk in the door make themselves comfortable on the family sofa!”
Alison is contactable on her phone 24 hours a day if any of the new adopters have queries about the dogs, but she admits that there are only usually minor questions and mostly it’s for reassurance. She then follows up with a home visit after a few days to check everything is OK.
“These are such beautiful and gentle creatures, and contrary to popular belief they only need limited exercise, two twenty minutes a day, but they make excellent and very loyal pets. My job is to ensure that these athletes get the best life possible when their racing career is over.”
If you would like further information on rehoming an ex-racing greyhound then please visit www.hollinhall.retiredgreyhounds.org
ENDS
For more information please contact Clive Reeves on 01543 501111 or email clive@wardlovett.com