For those of us not actively involved in greyhound re-homing, the bust up between GBGB and Greyhound Trust seems as confusing as it is disappointing. What is the background? How is it developing and what is the future for this vital sector of the greyhound industry?

We asked Kevin Stow, who heads one of the most successful independent homefinding charities in the country, the Lincolnshire Greyhound Trust, for his opinion on developments.

 

I was really saddened to read the letter from the GBGB to the Greyhound Trust in the Greyhound Star dated 20 April 2020.

The Greyhound Trust and RGT beforehand was a much respected and well run organisation for many years and have been responsible for the homing of well over 100,000 greyhounds since they were formed in 1975.

Despite the fact that I have been critical of the Greyhound Trust in recent years, it is solely because I believed they were one of the key components to the dream that I – and many others have had – of achieving 100% homing of all greyhounds when they retire from racing.

Over time, it was frustrating to see that the charity appears to have no clear vision or plan towards achieving this. Instead it has become focused on a new HQ, which I amongst many others, don’t believe will increase homing numbers of greyhounds by any significant amount.

In my view, spending so much money on a project that deflects money away from the hard working branches cannot be justified.

If the financial figures bandied around are anywhere near correct, it is apparent to me that large volume homing of ex-racers is no longer the immediate and primary concern of the Trust at this moment in time. That is the surely the biggest scandal of all in this debacle.

Although Lincolnshire Greyhound Trust (LGT) left the RGT in May 2004 we did so in an amicable way and until the new CEO came on board we always used to say to people “we are an independent organisation, but do work closely and liaise with the national RGT”.

Indeed when we left we agreed to keep our name change similar to what we were and changed from Lincoln RGT to Lincolnshire Greyhound Trust while the RGT also kept our charity on all their lists so the public had options in our area. Ironically we dropped the ‘Retired’ to show we were different yet still the same group.

Since 2004 when we were one of the first branches to leave the RGT I have been asked for help on quite a few occasions and assisted Wimbledon Greyhound Welfare and Yarmouth Greyhound Homefinders to become independent charities in their own rights.

I would hope that those, and more importantly, the branches that have contacted me in the last month or so, will all say that I pointed out the benefits of having a national body behind them for support, but also pointed out the pluses of going independent and controlling your own destiny.

While I cannot, and do not, claim to speak for every GT branch I do have contact with quite a number and it is clear and sad to see that there is significant disillusionment and disappointment with the way they have been treated by the Greyhound Trust Head Office.

Kevin Stow fund raising with a couple of the ex-racers being re-homed through Lincolnshire Greyhound Trust

Even some particularly staunch supporters of the national organisation have chose,n or are considering, breaking away. I was amazed when one particularly successful Midland branch chose that path some time ago.

I have spoken to many branch volunteers who felt ‘bullied’ and ‘dictated to’ by senior GT management. Their words, not mine. Other branch members claim they were told that their opinions were worthless despite the vast experience in homing. When they complained, a number were told that if they didn’t like it, they could leave.

When so many kennels at branches are left empty at the apparent expense of funding a national centre – which is likely to have a minimal effect on homing – how can the welfare of the many really be the primary focus?

Going back to my earlier point I always felt the national Greyhound Trust were vital in achieving 100% homing.

But my belief now is that this aim will actually be better served by a system which appears to be advocated by the GBGB where branches, groups or charities are paid based on results and given a one off payment for each different greyhound they take in and pledge responsibility for during the rest of the dog’s life.

A bond system, with all the necessary safeguards, encourages places to put in that extra 5 or 10% and find those additional homes which will be needed to get to an ideal situation.

The Greyhound Trust currently has 51 branches, but if any bookmaker wants to lay me odds I would be happy to bet that there will be less by the end of the year.

As an individual who cares about greyhounds and thinks they all deserve a home after racing I would be happy to chat to any individual or branch who wanted to discuss the positives (and negatives) about going independent.

Kevin Stow

Lincolnshire Greyhound Trust

 

Greyhound Star invites Greyhound Trust and GBGB to respond to Kevin Stow’s comments and observations.