Sunday, September 29 is the date for your diary as the Great Global Greyhound Walk enters its 15th year but 14th walk after 2020 was cancelled. What began in 2010 as a UK walk in 2010 went global in 2014 and has been growing every year.
In 2023, 11,818 sighthounds across the world took part across 458 walks in 36 different countries. The hope is that this year, in excess of 12,000 will do so. More than 500 hounds walked together in Yorkshire last year in the biggest gathering. You can register to take part and have your walk counted on the Great Global Greyhound Walk website.
Home Run Hounds
Home Run Hounds dog show at Himley Hall.
Four of the walks this year are part of Home Run Hounds. Set up less than two years ago by Claire Butler and Tracey Parbery. Claire has spent 30 years with greyhounds both in racing and then the Greyhound Trust. Tracey was the chair of the Hall Green Trust and between them they have formed a charity that has already homed 92 greyhounds in 2024!
They had a vision for rehoming greyhounds which they call foster-to-adopt. It’s a simple scheme that gives prospective homes 14 days to help their new canine friends adapt to home life. After 14 days the dog can be formerly adopted with all the official paperwork done.
Any problems and they can come straight back to Home Run Hounds. If a dog is a little tricky then the foster scheme can be extended to give the dog the best chance possible of a happy home. This is such an important step.
Claire told us “it takes the pressure off the homer and there is lifelong support for the dog.” That means that if something goes wrong, the dog will always be found an emergency foster space, like having a lifetime guarantee.
This allows them to foster dogs out to some homes that perhaps others might not consider. That includes older people, because as Claire put it, “If Covid taught us anything, it’s that loneliness is a killer.” With this scheme older people are able to find that companionship that they might not find elsewhere.
All the work that is done is voluntary, with 55 spaces that are always full. Not only do they look after the dogs in the kennels on a daily basis but they also do thorough home checks and provide support for all of their previously homed dogs.
Monthly meet ups
Each of the four branches of Home Run Hounds take it in turns to have a weekend walk once a month. “50 or 60 greyhounds walking together is quiet and a sight and a great icebreaker. People stop us to ask what is going on when we meet them out for a walk in the woodlands.”
Ex Home Run Hounds residents are often on the walks with their new families. It helps to promote volunteering as well as spreading the word about what fantastic pets greyhounds are.
Visit the website for more information on the sterling work that they do and their upcoming events.
2024 Home Run Hounds Walks for the GGGW
If you are interested in gathering with other sighthound owners on September 29, then these are the locations. All of the kennels dogs will be out on one of these walks that day so it is a great opportunity to get involved.
Himley Hall – DY3 4DF
Lickey Hills Country Park – B45 8ER
Beacon Park Litchfield – WS13 6QZ
Worcester Woods – WR5 2LG
