Some of the dogs disguised themselves as reindeer for the evening!

Festive event raises awareness of dogs in need of a home

An unusual carol concert was held in Bath on Wednesday evening (9 December) in honour of greyhounds and lurchers searching for a new home.

Over 100 people and their dogs attended the event at Bath City Centre Church, which was organised by leading rescue charity Greyhound Rescue West of England (GRWE).

The service was attended by by international actor, Anthony Head, who gave a reading. Many of the dogs attending were dressed in their festive finery, with several of them disguised as reindeer for the evening!

The carol concert was a chance to celebrate the lucky rescued dogs who have found homes, and raise awareness of those still in need of a home.

Martha Walker, GRWE volunteer and organiser of the event, said: “St Michael’s Without was suggested as a venue to us by Anthony Head, who is an Honorary Friend of GRWE. The church has very kindly agreed that concert goers may bring their dogs to the carol concert and we are delighted that they will be part of our Christmas celebration!”

The GRWE say that the number of dogs they have been able to rehome has fallen significantly in recent years. They believe that the economic situation, together with a decrease in home ownership in Britain, with tenants often not allowed to keep pets, is part of the reason.

However, the number of greyhounds and lurchers in need of a home has not changed, meaning that there are more dogs in their care than ever before.

Emily Burns-Sweeney, director of homing, kennelling and welfare at GRWE explains: “Around 9,000 greyhounds retire from racing each year but only an estimated 5,300 find homes via rescue organisations. We have grave concerns about the fate of the remaining 3,700 greyhounds.
 
“Lurchers face a similarly precarious fate, with many thousands finding their way in to dog pounds each year. Our kennel spaces are always full. We operate a ‘one in, one out’ policy, meaning we have to find homes for the dogs we have before we can take in any more. We are forced to turn dogs away on a daily basis, knowing that for some of them that will mean they are put to sleep.”

For more information about the GRWE visit www.grwe.com or call 07000 785 092.

Image (C) Emma Butler PR