Helping dogs have their days – in comfort
WHEN Sam arrived at the home of Pauline Hewson and Keith Richards, he was severely undernourished, flea-ridden and neglected.
The three-year-old greyhound had been thrown out on the streets of Bradford and left to fend for himself. But, after just four months in the foster care of Pauline and Keith, Sam has gained weight and is a lively and affectionate companion to the couple's other greyhound, Nell.
Both animals were rescue dogs and were taken in by the Tia Greyhound and Lurcher Rescue Centre near Hebden Bridge which has found new homes for almost 1,800 dogs over the past 13 years.
"Greyhounds are wonderful dogs with gentle, patient natures," said Pauline. "It is tragic that they are treated so cruelly by the racing industry. Often they are thought of as a commodity and when they stop making money for their owners or become too old, many of them are abandoned."
Pauline and Keith, of Stratton Road, Brighouse, adopted Nell five years ago and hope to adopt Sam within the next few weeks. "We think Nell had been quite badly treated but you're never exactly sure what has happened to these dogs. Considering all they have been through, they are remarkably well-behaved dogs. They like to go for a good walk but they do not need an excessive amount of exercise which makes them excellent companions."
Pauline and Keith, an engineer, had been considering adopting a dog for a long time before they spotted Nell, now five, and fell for her gentle nature and distinctive 'blue' colouring. "They're such eye-catching dogs – whenever we take them out for a walk people smile and stop to talk about them. We get so much pleasure from having them."
As well as providing a home for rescue dogs, the couple try to help Tia by fund-raising, organising collections and visiting local shows.
"There is a constant need to raise funds to support Tia's work. We always take the dogs with us because they draw people's attention and are hard to resist."
Tia opened a new charity shop in Elland in December. Manager Shelley Parkinson has her own rescue greyhound, Dover. "I was made redundant from my job as an accounts clerk and, to pass the time, I started volunteering at the rescue centre.
"They were absolutely full so, to help out, I decided to foster Dover for a short time. But, of course, I got so attached to him that he never went back."
Shelley raised 1,000 by taking part in a sponsored walk in 2009 and is hoping to do another this year. "I've really enjoyed being involved in setting up the new shop and I love telling people about Tia and the work it does. Everyone has been so generous but we always need donations of items to sell."
Debbie Lowrie set up the rescue centre in 1997 and named it after her first dog, a one-year-old greyhound pup she adopted after finding out it was about to be put down.
Each year around 40,000 greyhounds are bred for racing in the UK but many don't make the grade. "In some ways it is a cruel industry and animals who don't make it in racing can face a shocking end. Now some breeders come to me with animals they want to get rid of.
"The vast majority of dogs that come to Tia are eventually rehomed successfully but we need constant support from volunteers and fund-raisers. It's a 24 hour job. We need to raise at least 400,000 a year to keep doing our work. Greyhounds are beautiful dogs and make wonderful pets and companions."
Facts
Tia Greyhound and Lurcher Rescue is committed to rescuing and rehoming stray, abandoned and ex-racing greyhounds and lurchers.
It is an independent not-for-profit organisation and does not receive money from the racing industry, relying solely on the public's generosity to provide support for dogs who have often been mistreated, traumatised, starved or
neglected and to provide them with a new life.
Each year around 40,000 greyhounds are bred for racing in the UK but many don't make the grade.
The new charity shop in Elland is at 60, Huddersfield Road. It is open from 10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday. Donations of items to sell would be welcomed including decent bric-a-brac, CDs and videos, books, clothing and household items.
Now some breeders come to me with animals they want to get rid of.
“The vast majority of dogs that come to Tia are eventually rehomed successfully but we need constant support from volunteers and fund-raisers. It’s a 24 hour job. We need to raise at least 400,000 a year to keep doing our work. Greyhounds are beautiful dogs and make wonderful pets and companions.”
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Wednesday 23 May 2012
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