Monmore Green Stadium is out to raise further awareness of greyhounds as pets by showcasing retired racers on Saturday evenings.
Homing charity Home Run Hounds, run by Claire Butler, will be at the track this weekend with several hounds available for adoption as Monmore begins its popular Christmas party nights.
A Home Run Hounds gazebo will greet racegoers as they come through the turnstiles. The retired greyhounds will then take a break from enjoying some fuss and alternate to lead several parades on the night – the track commentator speaking about each dog and their history over the PA system – before a special trophy race.
Monmore plans to make such evenings a regular feature in the calendar, with the current aim being to host a night for retired greyhounds on one Saturday per month.
The initiative comes as Home Run Hounds, currently based at the Monkspath Kennels in Wombourne, prepares to significantly expand its operation and take in two further sites in the new year, which will see them cater for more than 50 greyhounds.
Butler, who has more than 30 years of experience with the breed and previously volunteered at several other homing charities before starting up Home Run Hounds last November, said: “We’re delighted to be raising awareness and having our retired racers visiting Monmore regularly on race nights moving forward.
“The beginning of the Christmas period should see more people through the doors at Monmore and, fingers crossed, our presence will lead to some more greyhounds finding their forever homes.
“We’ll have a team of volunteers at the track, and it will be lovely for families to meet the greyhounds and see up close just what a wonderful breed they are.
“Greyhounds make amazing pets, and hopefully these nights will make more people consider adding one to their family to give them the loving homes they deserve.”
Home Run Hounds has taken in retired racers from trainers across Monmore and beyond, homing more than 30 greyhounds in its first full year of trading while also having more hounds in foster homes.
The expansion in early 2024 will also see them have kennels at sites in both Sutton Coldfield and Stourbridge, more than doubling the number of dogs under their care.
For more information on the charity and the dogs available for adoption, visit homerunhounds.co.uk or the ‘Home Run Hounds’ section on monmoregreyhounds.com