Life after Walthamstow Greyhound Stadium » Communities » 24dash.com

With the closure of Walthamstow Greyhound Stadium just around the corner, Louise Clark writes exclusively for 24dash.com on what happens to greyhounds when they retire from the track.

The closure of Walthamstow Stadium in August has been much publicised but behind the scenes, one lady and her team are busily rehoming as many ex-racing retired greyhounds as possible, writes Louise Clark.

For 43 years, Johanna Beumer has been rehoming greyhounds, mainly from Walthamstow Stadium, and last year received the MBE for all her efforts. 

Greyhounds are a very misunderstood breed.  Contrary to popular belief, they actually require very little exercise.  Capable of speed, not stamina, two twenty-minute walks a day are perfectly sufficient. They are very gentle dogs, lavishing affection and loyalty upon you to the maximum.

Johanna says: “There is no comparison to the dog you see racing around the track to the dog going home with  you, who is a real couch potato and an absolute softy”.

Retirement age ranges from 18 months to 4 years and they then desperately seek loving homes. 

Johanna started rehoming greyhounds after visiting her own racing greyhound, ‘Sailor’, at his kennels.  “I mistakenly thought all owners took their dogs home with them and I was shocked to find so many were being put down or even going for vivisection” she said.

Johanna now owns Whittingham Kennels in Waltham Abbey, dedicated entirely to the retired greyhounds. Whittingham Kennels has capacity for 48 dogs, but originally, the rehoming started on a small scale when the Chandler family who run the track allowed two double kennels (capacity four dogs) to be used for rehoming.  It escalated over the years!

The waiting list for dogs due to come into the kennels will increase with Walthamstow’s closure and therefore it is hoped that more people will realise that greyhounds make wonderful pets and be willing to come and offer a home to these 40mph couch potatoes. 

With over 13,478 greyhounds leaving the racing industry nation-wide annually, centres such as Whittingham Kennels are essential for the welfare of these elegant creatures.  Every home found guarantees another dog access to the homing kennels, meaning when you offer one dog a home, you are actually helping another also. 

As a volunteer for Whittingham Kennels and owner of two retired greyhounds myself, I can vouch for the loyal and lazy nature of greyhounds!  In my working life, I was involved in the campaign for further increasing greyhound welfare and it is great to be involved hands-on with the dogs.

My first greyhound, Storm, had not come from the stadium, but been found wandering and terrified in Suffolk.  From his ear tattoos, I have discovered that he had raced twice in Ireland and was three years old.  Although still nervous in new situations, he is very faithful and typically placid.  My other dog, Fleck, by contrast, is extremely friendly with everyone.  So gentle, you hardly know she is on the lead.  Both live happily alongside my three cats. 

Unfortunately, although, thankfully welfare is much greater now, the number of races has increased meaning that there are so many greyhounds that need homes.  Thousands are bred in Ireland; the father of my own dog, Fleck, producing 8980 offspring. 

However, the profile of retired greyhounds is increasing, especially with ex-racing dogs being adopted by many celebrities around the country, including Angie Best and Amanda Drew from Eastenders adopting from Whittingham Kennels.  Johanna remarks that this, together with the MBE which she was honoured and surprised to receive from Her Majesty in October 2007 “highlights the greater esteem in which these beautiful dogs are now held”.

“It would be nice to think that greyhounds all over the country could be saved and found homes," she said.

Greyhounds were originally owned by Ancient Egyptian Pharoahs, whose most beloved dogs were mummified with their owners.  In the Middle Ages, greyhounds were the dog of the aristocracy, but now anyone willing to provide a loving home can have the privilege!   

If you are able to offer a greyhound a home or would like to volunteer or visit the kennels, please ring 0208 444 9649 / website: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/greyhounds/ or to find a kennel near you, contact the Retired Greyhound Trust: 0844 826 8424 http://www.retiredgreyhounds.co.uk/