Charity to help greyhounds

A new charity set up to rehome Irish greyhounds in loving Norfolk homes yesterday appealed for more families to register for adoption.

Jill Saunders, from Cromer, set up the charity Kerry Greyhound Connection last year after her sister moved to southern Ireland and reported back that dogs deemed unfit for racing were being destroyed.

Since then she has brought 55 greyhounds over to Norfolk, lodged them with foster families around the county so that they can be house trained, and then given them to suitable applicants wanting new pets.

"Some of the dogs we've brought over have competed but become slow," she said. "But many are dogs that haven't made the grade, don't have the competitive temperament.

"There are thousands of greyhounds being destroyed in Ireland each year, it's barbaric, and my sister and I decided something needed to be done about it."

Because few of the dogs being brought over are house trained, they do not go into kennels but instead are shipped over to the foster families and then hand-picked according to the needs of the applicant.

Mrs Saunders said there are currently eight dogs being retrained around Norfolk and said there are many more desperately in need of rescuing.

"More and more people are becoming aware of the plight of greyhounds in Ireland," she added. "They make excellent pets and they really need good homes.

"Often people don't realise that greyhounds are great with children, that many can live happily with cats and other small animals, and that most are 'couch potatoes' who don't need a lot of exercise.

"They are intelligent, loyal and loving companion dogs. We would love more people to contact us to find out more about adopting one."

For more information visit www.kerrygreyhounds.co.uk or phone Jill on 01263 512699.