New look for greyhound charity – but job remains the same

A canine charity has been rebranded, but the mission remains unchanged – to provide bright futures and loving homes for retired racing greyhounds. Stuart Laundy meets volunteers with the Greyhound Trust.

DUKE is a big, striking fella blessed with a friendly, calm demeanour. At just four years old, his racing days are behind him and, expected to live until about 12, he’s now in need of a permanent home.

He currently resides in the Greyhound Trust kennels at Merrybent, on the western fringe of Darlington.

The kennels are a family run operation, involving Janet and Doug Brass who, along with daughter Claire, have been rehoming greys for two decades, becoming part of the network of what was then the Retired Greyhounds Trust seven years ago.

The kennels have a capacity of 15 to 20 dogs.

“We are always full,” says lead volunteer Janet Brass. And there is a waiting list.

“Most of them come from the racing track, direct from the trainers, although we do get the odd one from elsewhere.

“We take most of them from Sunderland and Newcastle, occasionally further afield as well.”

Most of the greys are aged three to five when they come to Merrybent.

“Some of them can carry on racing. We always say the dog will tell you if it likes racing, but five is a good age to retire the dog from racing,” adds Mrs Brass.

“The Greyhound Trust tries to take in as many as possible from the racing side, then you do get some of the owners who try to rehome the dogs themselves.”

When they arrive at the kennels, greys are neutered where necessary, dental work is checked and the team ensures boosters are up to date.

Those looking to adopt a grey can expect “a ready made dog from the trust”, adds Mrs Brass.

As ex-stars of the track, surely greys are high maintenance with energy to burn?

“They are really only used to running about 480 metres,” says Mrs Brass.

“Don’t get me wrong, they do need exercise, but they are very lazy. A ten minute walk a few times a day would please a grey – if it’s pouring with rain, they won't even want to do that. Once they finish racing, they are just couch potatoes.”

She adds: “They have an excellent temperament. We rehome them with everyone from young people with children to the very elderly. Greys can sense the difference. Either way, they make great pets.

“In general they want to curl up on a bed and enjoy their retirement.”

One thing potential adopters are reminded is that ex-racing greys are unlikely to have seen the inside of a house and may need a little time to get used to their new surroundings.

“They have always been in kennels – but they house train very quickly,” says Mrs Brass.

Last year, the Greyhound Trust Darlington centre found new homes for 81 ex-racers. Another five had gone to new homes in the first week of 2018.

The Brasses rely on a small army of between 20 and 25 volunteers to help keep things running – walking the dogs daily to helping out at various fundraising events which raise about £7,000 a year to help cover costs.

“We would be lost without them. They are all fantastic people. There are a couple who come from Hartlepool just to walk the dogs. That shows how dedicated they are. You can’t run a branch without volunteers.”

Mrs Brass adds: “We do a lot of fundraising and don’t set a limit on what we try to raise.”

There are monthly dog walks at Hardwick Park, Sedgefield, meet and greets at Pets At Home, awareness weekends and an annual dog show (open to all breeds) in July, again at Hardwick Park.

“Everything we raise goes towards helping the dogs. It’s just a pleasure to rehome the dogs,” says Mrs Brass.