A charity which finds new, loving homes for racing greyhounds once they have crossed the finish line for the final time is urging people to be aware of Adopt a Greyhound month.
Olivia Noble, the founder of Peaceful Pets, is no stranger to ensuring the welfare of animals as she is also client care manager at Cherrydown Vets, based in Basildon.
The Epping-based charity, which is a subsidiary of Lincolnshire Greyhound Trust, takes on retired greyhounds and looks after them until it has found permanent, loving homes for them.
Olivia said: “My dad always kept greyhounds and raced them. After they had retired, they were rehomed through Lincolnshire Greyhound Trust.
“Many years later, I took in two greyhounds of my own and I realised what wonderful pets they are and how easy they are to care for.”
Olivia felt some people in the region may be put off rehoming one of the pets due to the distance to the Lincolnshire trust, so she discussed the possibility of starting a branch in Essex.
Peaceful Pets, which Olivia runs with her sister Bethia, runs various social events so people can learn more about its work and gives members of the public a chance to appreciate how calm and affectionate greyhounds can be.
Olivia said: “I work full time and the dogs fit in perfectly with my lifestyle. Contrary to what some people believe, they are not hugely energetic dogs, they don’t need constant walking and are actually one of the laziest breeds.
“Despite people associating them with chasing small furry objects around a track, with careful introductions some can live with cats and other small furries. Around a quarter of the dogs we rehomed in 2018 went to homes with cats!
“They are beautiful animals which make wonderful pets. I’d urge anyone interested in adopting a pet to get in touch with us to find out more about the amazing greyhounds we have with us.
“April is Adopt a Greyhound month, so it’s a great time to learn more information about the breed.”
Peaceful Pets has a great relationship with Cherrydown Vets, which also has branches in Wickford and Stanford Le Hope.
Two of the dogs it cares for have recently donated blood to the vets, while the charity will have a stall at the vets’ next open day this summer and Cherrydown’s office manager, Sam Maddison, recently adopted greyhound, Paris, from Peaceful Pets.
Donations can be made to the trust by visiting https://lincolnshiregreyhoundtrust.co.uk and for more information on Peaceful Pets please visit www.facebook.com/PeacefulPetsRG