When many people think of greyhounds, the first things that comes to mind is probably their long-held association with racing. The continuing existence of the tracks are controversial, and earlier this year, a petition against racing greyhounds in Wales collected 35,101 signatures, citing the high number of injuries the breed suffers as a result of the activity.
Greyhounds on tracks often start racing at 18 months old, and sometimes don't make it to their 'retirement' age until they are four or five. So what happens to the dogs when they are no longer needed in the racing industry? All across the UK there are dedicated centres, and one of them is tucked away off an unassuming country lane in Carmarthenshire. Greyhound Rescue Wales has been operating since 1993, run by a dedicated small group of people trying to rescue greyhounds and lurchers. The organisation grew quickly won support across the country. Dogs either arrive from trainers, by their owners, or as strays after they have been abandoned.
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A small but dedicated group of around 15 rescue dogs live at the centre. Rehoming manager Nicola Jones, who has worked there since 2015, explains how she became involved after owning a whippet of her own at home.
Their relatively short racing life means by the time they reach centres like the one at Hillcrest in Ammanford, they have no idea of what it is like to have a domesticated lifestyle. Volunteers at the centre work on this with the dogs to ensure home comforts are not alien to them by the time they are rescued by their adopters.
"Some of them don't know what to do with toys," Ms Jones said. "It is about getting to know each of them and getting used to their individual needs, having play sessions, and being kind and patient with them as they get used to things, using treats as encouragement. It is a lovely place to be, we have a small number of dogs and it does not feel like your regular rescue centre, it is more of a relaxed feel. We have a good ratio of staff and volunteers to dogs which means they all get plenty of attention."
Greyhounds are part of the sighthound family, which also includes whippets, lurchers, Italian greyhounds and salukis, which all vary in size. Common misconceptions of the breed are that they are impossible to train, need tonnes of exercise and are aggressive, when in reality, the staff say they are a gentle, loving breed, and once they have had about half hour to an hour of daily exercise, they are real couch potatoes, and will happily offer a paw or lay down in return for a treat, of course. They have a light and short coat that requires minimal grooming, and are quiet, very rarely bark.
The centre has a packed routine for them. In the 'kennel kitchen' there are boards up on the walls showing a detailed breakdown of their meal times, health needs and their 'enrichment activity', which sees them given time twice a day to freely run and explore their surroundings in a large secure field.
The 'home' area teaches them how to relax on the sofa, and gets them used to the sights and sounds of what they may experience living in a household environment. There is also a secure area where potential adopters who already have pets or young children can introduce them to each other to test how they get along.
Anyone wanting to adopt has to complete a five-step process in place to ensure everything is right. You must first get in touch with the centre and fill in an adoption request form, which leads to a follow-up call to go through your personal circumstances and consider whether you are the correct match. The next step will be an invite to the centre to meet the dogs, and then if all is right, the adoption process will follow, where the centre ask for an adoption fee towards the costs of neutering, micro-chipping, vaccinating, provision of collar, lead, muzzle and re-homing. A follow-up process is also in place, allowing you to ask the centre for any advice after you take your rescue dog home. Aside from the adoption process, a fostering network also exists for those who can provide temporary care.
Ms Jones said: "They are really gentle, and loving dogs. When adopters come to pick them up they often ask: 'Are you sad to see them go', and I am! But at the same time you are so happy to see them getting their forever home, that's what it's all about. It is rewarding working with each of them. You see some coming in nervous, then after you build a positive relationship with them and they come towards you, it is nice."
Some of the dogs currently available:
April, two years eight months
"April is a sweet and unassuming girl who has settled nicely in to the day to day routine here at Hillcrest. April walks nicely out on a lead and has had the opportunity to venture off site, down to our local park for a stroll with our other greyhound residents. Although initially a little shy with new staff and volunteers, April soon learns to trust when there are tasty treats about."
Blodwen, four years and two months
"Blodwen is a confident girl who has settled in nicely during the time she has been with us at the centre. She loves to play and have zoomies around the field. She is a happy girl and the life and soul of the party, her tail is always wagging and she loves everyone! She always has a smile on her sweet face. She has had the opportunity to venture out to the local park and enjoys spending time down the house here at the centre."
Bolt, seven years and eight months
"Bolt has lived in a home environment for the last four years and is calm and generally quite a chilled out lad about the house. He is happy to take himself off to his bed for some extra snooze time. Bolt walks nicely on a lead and enjoys his walks. He is currently living with another greyhound, and they have been left for periods of up to three hours with no issues. Bolt really is a charming man, who has plenty of love to give."
Chase, three years and one month
"Chase is a gorgeous chocolate coloured lurcher and a bundle of fun. He loves to play and is also a cuddle monster. He likes his walks and is seeking an active home. He is house trained, not destructive and is being homed direct to avoid the stress of kennels."
Draig, two years and nine months
"Draig is a handsome and sociable chap, who is setting in well to the day to day routine here at Hillcrest. Draig walks well on a lead and has already had the opportunity to explore our local park. Draig is still undergoing assessment."
Evie, three months and eight months
"Evie is a happy and sociable girl, she thrives off human and dog company so will need a home where someone is around a lot of the time."
Hex, four years and eight months
"Hex is the most beautiful boy, he's very chilled out and takes things in his stride. He is friendly with dogs and people and is finding his confidence out and about on walks. He is looking for a calm companion for laid back walks, he’s got low energy levels and so is happy with shorter walks or even play sessions instead of walks. He has been having physio on his back and hind legs and Greyhound Rescue Wales will continue to meet the cost for this in his new home."
Ken, seven years and nine months
"Ken is a gentle and calm boy who loves people to have a proper lean on and even though can initially be weary of other dogs, is fine once he gets to know them. Ken has experience of home life, is house trained and well mannered around food. Ken has a greyhound companion called Mamma. Both are happy to be left for short periods of time. They are a bonded pair and are looking for a home together."
Mamma, five years and nine months
"Mamma is a sweet but confident girl who loves people and is sociable with other dogs. Mamma likes to play and has a favourite piggy toy that she likes to throw around, in the hope her humans will join in. Mamma has experience of home life, is house trained and has good manners around food. Mamma has a greyhound companion called Ken. Both are happy to be left for short periods of time. They are a bonded pair and are looking for a home together."
Shady, three years and five months
"Shady is a big blue beautiful lad. Despite his size, Shady is a gentle, chilled out boy who takes life in his stride. He is good at walking out with with other dogs and out in the park and would happily live either alone or with another dog. He walks nicely on lead, has pretty good recall (to be worked on in new home) and is house trained and ok to be left for short periods. Shady gets worried when eating that people will try to take his food off him, so he needs a kind home that will allow him space to build confidence in this area."
Greyhound Rescue Wales campaigns endlessly to spread the message that greyhounds and lurchers make wonderful pets and companion dogs, and works with partners to ensure all greyhounds in Wales receive protection in law in the future.
A Welsh Government spokesman said: “The responsible ownership of animals is a priority for the Welsh Government and we are committed to maintaining high standards of welfare for our animals at all stages of their lives. We intend to consider greyhound racing as part of our consultation on a revised licensing scheme, as set out in our Animal Welfare Plan for Wales.”
To find out more call 01269 824388, or e-mail info@greyhoundrescuewales.co.uk between 9am and 5pm. You can also visit the website and fill in the 'adopt a dog' form. Visits to the centre are strictly by appointment only. If you'd like to donate to the charity, you can do so by clicking here.
