The Beastly Beasts
It is fatal to let any dog know that he is funny, for he immediately loses his head and starts hamming it up.
BeastLinks
This is where we share our favourite places on the web with you.
If there is a site that you would like to see linked to from here please let us know; we would appreciate a link back please.
Rescues
There are some of the rescues doing amazing work to help greyhounds, lurchers, and other dogs and animals in the UK, the Republic of Ireland, and Spain. For us, that fact that there are so many shows what a mess the Greyhound Racing industry creates. In the nicest possible way, it would be great if there was no longer a need for them. But in the mean time … All rescues are in need of funding; the donations given for rehomed animals does not even cover the cost of the time they spend in the rescue. The RGT receives some money from the NGRC, the others rely solely on fundraising and donations. If you can afford a pound or two, please help them. If you run or know of a rescue that would like a link here, please request a link
- Greyhound and Lurcher Welfare RescueGLWR was set up following the closure of the Glastonbury Racetrack. Concerned that greyhounds and lurchers seen by trainers as no longer "useful" might be put to sleep, they wanted to offer a real alternative to this. They collect the unwanted dogs from the trainers and care for them until new "forever" homes can be found for them. Currently their work concentrates on the Wiltshire, Somerset and Dorset areas.
- Greyhound GapGreyhound Gap helps rescues and potential adopters find each other by providing a list of rescues in the UK and Ireland, provides home checking and fostering services for rescues, and takes in greyhounds and lurchers in put to sleep situations.
- Greyhounds In NeedFounded in 1991, GIN is a registered charity concerned with the plight of greyhounds everywhere, particularly in Spain, where most of their work is done.
- Greyhound Rescue West of EnglandGWRE is a charity that cares for, fosters and rehomes greyhounds rescued in the west of England. At anytime they have 60 - 70 dogs looking for their forever home. Maple was a GRWE girl.
- Greyhound SanctuaryA small Devon based charity, The Greyhound Sanctuary rescues and rehomes greyhounds and lurchers. Their website has details of dogs for rehoming and a Rogues Gallery with photos of rehomed dogs. There is also information about fundraising activities for The Greyhound Sanctuary.
- Northumberland Greyhound RescueHelping hounds in the north east.
- Orchard Greyhound SanctuaryThe Orchard Greyhound Sanctuary is a small privately-run refuge for rescued and retired greyhounds. Located in southwest County Offaly
- The Retired Greyhound TrustBacked by the greyhound racing industry, the RGT is their official route to retired greyhounds finding homes. With branches nationwide, and working with other rescues they claim to rehome in the order of 1,000 greyhounds a year. Their website says that 9,000 greyhounds retire each year (the number is probably much higher than this in reality), which is probably why there are so many other charities and rescues.
- South West Sight HoundsSouth West Sight Hounds are based in Bristol and rehome hounds in and around the south-west.
- TailendsTailends looks after dogs (mostly greyhounds) that are unlikely to find a home elsewhere - elderly and terminally ill dogs - and fills the time they have left with loads of TLC.
- Tia Greyhound RescueTia has been rehoming greyhounds since 1997. They are based in Halifax, West Yorkshire.
- Walthamstow Homefinding SchemeWHS rehomes greyhounds mainly from Walthamstow Stadium.
RGT branch. - Wimbolden Greyhound Welfareaka Hersham Hounds. At their kennels in Hersham, Surrey, WGW care for between 50 and 60 greyhounds who have retired from racing and are waiting to experience life as a family pet.
- Wood Green Animal SheltersWood Green Animal Shelters has been rescuing and re-homing animals since 1924. They take in over 6,000 animals a year. Kai came from WGAS, as did Beamish and Murphy, Izzy, and Vincent.
Awareness Organisations
Along side the rescues, there are awareness organisations that promote the issues surrounding greyhounds in the racing industry. Again, that mere fact that they exist is a comment on the Greyhound Racing industry. And like the rescues, it would be great if there was no longer a need for these organisations. But in the mean time …
If you run or know of an awareness organisation that would like a link here, please request a link
If you run or know of an awareness organisation that would like a link here, please request a link
- Black BeautiesWhy black hounds are overlooked is a mystery; their nature is no different to other hounds - the only difference is their colour - yet rescues report that they wait much longer for a home than other colours. This site shows off all the black beauty sighthounds waiting in rescue for their forever homes, and some who have already found theirs.
- Dogstar FoundationThe Dogstar Foundation is a UK based fund raising project run by Mark and Sam Green that works with a Sri Lanka based Charity the Millennium Elephant Foundation (MEF) to provide free veterinary treatment to dogs and cats in the Kegalle area of Sri Lanka and provides mobile neutering and vaccination clinics countrywide.
- Greyhound ActionGreyhound Action campaign to end greyhound racing. The "You bet, they die" tag sums it up.
Warning: The Greyhound Action website contains images that are not for the squeamish, but that will affect your views of greyhound racing. - Mad About GreysMad About Greys highlights a few dogs in kennels that they personally know about. Each dog has it's own page and photos. Note: You need JavaScript enabled to view this site.
- The Oldies ClubOlder dogs need love just as much as puppies and young dogs. The Oldies Club publicises the older dogs in rescues around the UK to help with rehoming them. An older dog, perhaps surprisingly, makes a great first dog as they are more mature than younger ones, and are often less "demanding". And loads of people have older and younger dogs together - the young keeping old young, and the old adding a degree of maturity to the proceedings - well, usually. So if you're think of getting another dog, why not consider an oldie - they'll love for it.
- Sighthound Welfare TrustThe SWT is a registered charity committed to improving the welfare of sighthounds in the UK, Ireland and Spain. It promotes responsible ownership, raises awareness of sighthound welfare issues and supports the rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming of sighthounds. The SWT site has some very useful information for care of sighthounds in particular, but much is also applicable to any dog. There's also some good information about the plight of greyhounds and puppy farms.
- Sighthounds OnlineSOL is a registered charity that aims to "offer a lifeline to sighthounds in need". Its aims are: To relieve the suffering of unwanted, abused and neglected dogs, in particular sighthounds, by the provision of financial assistance and grants to any such animal rescue organisation and/or individuals as the trustees consider appropriate and by the provision of appropriate care, protection, treatment and security for such animals. And to educate and raise public awareness about the welfare issues pertaining to sighthounds and to make available information and advice by the provision of a website and forums.
Merchandise
All the links here are to places and people we personally recommend having dealt with them and found them to provide top quality goods with great service.
- Dixie's DelightsHome made treats from Somerset that use only top quality natural ingredients. Favourites are the Italian Job, Cheddar Gorgeous, The Twilight Bones, Bee-nana Bites and (particularly for Jack as the name describes him so well) the Nutty But Nice; ohhh, that's all of them then!! And as some of the money goes to help Sighthounds Online the Beasts seem to feel it's their duty to eat loads.
- Greyt SweatersGreyt Sweaters are made to measure and each one is unique! The sweaters are shaped specifically to hug the contours of these beautiful hounds; they are snug and warm as well as being eye catching with a long polo neck collar that can be rolled down or pulled up over the ears for extra warmth. Greyt Sweaters do not restrict movement and can be left on safely overnight.
Forums
Places you can chat with other like minded people, and get help and advice on your dogs - and pretty much anything else. Many Rescue and Awareness groups have forums associated with their sites. These are "independent" forums.
Places to Stay
Finding somewhere to stay that allows dogs, especially when you have more than two, is really difficult. So here is a list of places that we have either stayed at or that have been recommended by people we know.
- Swallows DanceOriginally stable and hayloft, Swallows Dance is a pet friendly place to stay in Pembrokshire - pretty much take as many as you want. We've stayed here, and it gets the full five paw rating. It is fantastic, with two bedrooms (one up one down), shower rooms up and downstairs, huge dog safe garden, stunning views, and woods and fields on your doorstep to walk the dogs in. Across the yard is Little Dumpledale.
- Little DumpledaleJust across the yard from Swallows Dance is Little Dumpledale Farm; a gorgeous and authentic Pembrokeshire farmhouse with lots of past and lots of present where you and your family can stay and relax in picturesque Welsh farmland. The garden is dog safe, and the walks and views are just superb.
Personal Sites
Hounds like us on the internet.
- Ben's BlogBen is a greyhound that lives in south London with his sister Erin. He is also a PAT dog. These are his stories of him, his sister and his friends..
- Fiona's Fast DogsA brilliant site with loads about her dogs, written from their point of view. There's loads on dogs health, and training. Highly recommended.
- Waljan's BlogWaljan is a greyhound/deerhound longdog that lives at Little Dumpdale/Swallows Dance in Pembrokshire with his mum and dad Carol and Trevor, Beryl (aka Hairy Bear and adopted Aunt to Kai), Faith and Luce (the whippets), Poppy (Luce's play JRT) and Kishka (a Husky).
Miscellaneous Sites
Websites that don't fit in to any of the other categories, but are none the worse for that.
- Greyhound-DataGreyhound Data provides information about greyhounds from all over the world and drawn from the last four centuries. The associated forums are definitely pro-racing, but this is probably the best source of data on greyhounds past and present on the net.
- Greyhound MusesPoems, muses and thoughts about greyhounds, tips on looking after them, pictures and loads more stuff.
- PetBloodBank UKA much needed initiative, pbbUK collect blood from donor animals to have ready for those that need when they need it. Please take a look at their website and see if your pet(s) can help by becoming donors (there are some restrictions, but the site explains what these are). The Beastly Beasts have given blood, at it didn't bother them in the slightest. It's simple, quick and painless (Kai nearly dozed off while doing it), and your pet will be a lifesaver.
Greyhound Racing
OK, not particularly our favourite places on the web (let no-one say we don't provide the opportunity for everyone to present their case); these are the authorities and organisations that over-see greyhound racing in the UK and Ireland. The blurb is theirs; we'll leave it up to you to decide what you think they mean by welfare and such (note that with one exception it is the welfare of the sport the organisations are responsible for - not the dogs).
- British Greyhound Racing BoardThe BGRB takes the lead in political and commercial matters impacting on the sport. All rule changes, licence and registration issues must be discussed with the BGRB, which primarily exists to promote the best interests of greyhound racing.
- British Greyhound Racing FundThe official funding body for NGRC licensed greyhound racing in Britain, the British Greyhound Racing Fund covers all aspects of integrity, welfare and development of the sport.
- National Greyhound Racing ClubThe NGRC is a non-profit making regulatory authority which regulates the welfare of racing greyhounds and the conduct and integrity of NGRC licensed greyhound racing. Their tag line is "Independence, Integrity, Security, Welfare".
- The Irish Greyhound BoardThe Irish Greyhound Board - Bord na gCon - is a commercial semi-state body which is responsible for the control and development of the greyhound industry in Ireland.