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Greyhounds Bobby and Pam in the Limerick Animal Welfare Sanctuary in Kilfinane. Photo: Sandra Quinn

The Limerick Animal Welfare Sanctuary (LAW) in Kilfinane, is to feature on Nationwide this Friday in an episode, which highlights what good household pets greyhounds make.

The end of the track should not be the end for a greyhound, but for the sanctuary in Kilfinane, they are increasingly coming across greyhounds being abandoned or dumped, because they are no longer of use for racing or coursing.

The Vice Chairperson of LAW, Geraldine Gunning explained that they could take in 100 greyhounds and lurchers each year, most of whom have been left on the roads or abandoned because their racing days are over and she said that people don't seem to see them as pets, because they associate them with hunting and racing.

"People don't realise what a lovely pet they make, they are real couch potatoes, they love heat and are really very docile and quiet," she said. 

Over the last six months, LAW have formed a partnership with SOS Levrieri in Italy, where the greyhounds they take in have a home over there with a family.

However, Geraldine explained that before Italy came on board, they were not able to take in more greyhounds, as very few were re-homed, with only three or four a year out of the 100 going to a family.

Ms Gunning said that they do a home check for every family wanting to take in a pet and that they ensure that there is an enclosed garden and they look for people who will make the dog part of the home and a member of the family, instead of leaving it outside and just taking it for occasional walks.

She added that despite their previous life with hunting and racing, greyhounds are very good with families and small children and she said that people should realise the potential to keep them as pets, as they are beautiful, quiet creatures.

Tune into RTE 1 at 7pm on this Friday, March 1 to see LAW featured on Nationwide.

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