Racing dogs in need of a slower pace of life

Animal lovers are being encouraged to adopt retired racing greyhounds.

The plea comes from Mr John Morton who runs the Retired Greyhound Trust at Sutton-on-Trent.

Mr Morton, 66, said adoption figures nationally were lower than last year, possibly due to the economic crisis.

“It’s the tail-end of the recession kicking in. People are being cautious,” said Mr Morton, who has five pet greyhounds.

He has run the Sutton RGT, a halfway house between the racetrack and a new home, for seven years.

Last year the branch, voted one of the top four greyhound kennels in the country, found homes for 156 greyhounds, the most in its history. However, figures for this year are far lower.

“People think greyhounds need loads of exercise, but they are lazy. They need only two 20-minute walks per day,” Mr Morton said.

“When they are racing, they eat all high-protein food. More protein, more energy, but you have to bring it down to 20%, it calms them down.”

Mr Morton, a farmer, said greyhounds were docile animals and often lived to about 16.

“They adore people. They trust everyone they see. They are not aggressive dogs. They don’t smell and they don’t shed fur,” he said.

Greyhounds stay with their trainers at Nottingham Greyhound Stadium until there is space for them at Sutton-on-Trent, where each kennel has a radiator and a blanket.

There is space for only 34 dogs and as soon as a greyhound finds a new home, another immediately takes its place in the kennel.

“We had only three kennels when we started, but we have expanded,” Mr Morton said.

“Greyhounds need a caring home and a safe environment with people who care about animals. They make fabulous pets.”

The charge to anyone adopting a greyhound is a £100 donation, which covers veterinary costs, a lead, collar and food.

Anyone interested should contact Mr Morton at the trust on 01636 822032 or visit www.rgtmidlands.co.uk