By Paula Beniston, GBGB GRS Co-Ordinator

This is proving to be an extraordinary end to an extraordinary year. For most of us, it will sadly not be the Christmas we had hoped and wished for. One thing that has kept me buoyed over these past weeks has been reflecting on the record number of our much-loved retired greyhounds that will be spending their first Christmas on the sofa this year.

In September, I joined the GBGB to oversee the Greyhound Retirement Scheme – an initiative I am hugely passionate about. The support and positivity I have received from owners, trainers and stadia alike has been overwhelming, and I cannot thank you all enough for how you have helped make the introduction of the scheme such a success.

Over the past months, I have been invited to numerous homing centres who wish to work with us and have been busy visiting and inspecting their kennels. It has been a pleasure to meet, albeit from a distance, the wonderful and hardworking volunteers that care for our retirees day-in, day-out. I am very pleased to announce that in just over three months we now have 107 GRS Approved Homing Partners.

One of my recent visits was to Blue Cross, who have eight fantastic rehoming centres across the UK which have all now been approved as GRS partners. Blue Cross are keen to help maximise our working relationship, especially around promoting retired greyhounds to a wider audience. By expanding these partnerships it is my aim that we can help spread the message that greyhounds really do make the most wonderful pets.

I have also had the opportunity to speak at length over the past months to a charity that may in the past have been classed as ‘anti-racing’. From our conversations, what has become clear to us both is that we have the same shared goal which is to see our retiring greyhounds find their forever homes. I am pleased to say that this relationship has strengthened and I hope, over time, that many more will also revise their historic views of our sport.

I am hugely proud to oversee this fantastic scheme which has benefited over 500 greyhounds since its launch. My hope for the new year is that it will continue to bring us together so that 2021 is another record rehoming year for our deserving greyhounds.

It just leaves me to say that Blake and I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!