Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

My name is Matthew and I would like to raise awareness of and funds in line with the plight of greyhounds and other sight hounds, who are often overlooked as pets, but make wonderful campanions! 

Every year hundreds of young, healthy greyhounds are discarded - often put sleep due to injury or unwanted behaviours. 

Greyhound Rescue Wales was established to enable more of these wonderful, gentle creatures to have a chance at having a home of their own, very often for the first time in their lives. The rescue, medical treatment and rehabilitation of greyhounds, can be extremely costly and every one of these animals deserves a chance. 

An example of why greyhound rescue is so important relates to a fund created by Greyhound Rescue Wales called the Last Hope Fund. This was established in memory of a racing greyhound who was left for dead when no longer wanted. He was found badly injured with both ears cut off and a hole in his head, lying in a pile of rubbish. For more information please visit the following webpage: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/south_east/4032981.stm

Whilst he could not be saved, Last Hope's story has raised awareness and funds to save more dogs desparately in need of our help. 

After our Patterdale Terrier passed away in 2016, our house was empty. After some careful research, we decided a greyhound would be ideal to share our home. Then in March 2016 we adopted Bodhi. He is one of the kindest, funniest and loving dogs we have ever met! He is full of energy - for 10 minutes, then takes control of our sofa! After adopting Bodhi, we adopted Willow three months later (they are addictive) who is the complete opposite of Bodhi in terms of personality. She is nervous, anxious and timid, yet so incredibly affectionate. There’s nothing more she loves than cuddles on the sofa. 

It was after adopting Willow that we discovered more about how these majestic creatures suffer at the hands of humans, and an industry where standards vary to such an extent, that the worth of an animal is dictated by the income it generates and its ability to win. This often takes precedence  over the life and welfare of greyhounds who are retired at a young age, put to sleep, discarded or exported to even worse fate - such as the dog meat industry. 

When we had Willow she was covered in scars, cigarette burns, hand shy, withdrawn and incredibly afraid of men. Thanks to Greyhound Rescue Wales, Willow's mental state improved enough for her to be adopted by a family who could accept that she needed time and support to adapt to her new home. The first months with us, Willow slept in the kitchen, was fearful, and found it really hard trust to adapt to her surroundings. She is now an amazing campanion who has began to trust humans, and has come to know that not all people are bad. 

This unfortunately is not a rare case. 1000's of greyhounds leave the racing industry every year - the lucky ones are rescued and adopted or fostered. 

Greyhound Rescue Wales do their very best to rescue greyhounds and other sighthounds that are no longer considered “of use”. They then treat, rehabilitate and nurture them, so that they may stand a chance at finding their own "forever" family. The staff carefully match dogs with individuals, families, situations and homes; to give a dog a chance at a lifewhich they would not have had otherwise. For more information on the charity please visit the following website: https://greyhoundrescuewales.co.uk/

By donating, you will be helping to ensure that more lives are saved and that the rescue of these amazing and worthy creatures can continue. Donations will support: vets fees/medical bills, transportation, feeding, care and rehabilitation costs in providing for those dogs in dire need rescue and care. In addition, donations will support sanctuary running costs, to ensure these dogs have a safe environment on which they can rely.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.