Appeal to find sighthounds new homes after seeing a 50% rise

Woodgreen has seen a 50% rise in sighthounds arriving at its centre in Godmanchester over the past year. There are currently 18 sighthounds in its care, making up a significant proportion of the total number of dogs who are looking for loving new homes. Sadly, despite their numbers, Lurchers, Greyhounds and Salukis are often overlooked by people. Some of these dogs have had little interest since arriving at Woodgreen.

The charity has noticed a concerning trend: more sighthounds are arriving at its centre throughout the year, including those needing treatment for injuries like broken legs. This likely correlates with the illegal practice of hare coursing, banned in the UK since 2004, which appears to have shifted from a seasonal activity to a year-round one.

Among the sighthounds currently at Woodgreen are a tripod Lurcher called Winston, who needed his leg amputated after arriving at the charity with a bad leg injury, and Saluki Daenerys – who’s still waiting for a loving new home after 206 days in the charity’s care. Daenerys arrived at Woodgreen in August 2024 and is the longest-staying dog over the past 12 months.

Helen Stapleton, Head of Intake and Rehoming, said: “Over the past 12 months, 14% of all dogs that have been admitted to Woodgreen and 24% of all stray intakes have been sighthounds – they’re our most frequently seen dog breed at the moment.

“In the past, it wasn’t uncommon for us to get more sighthounds at certain times of the year during hare coursing season, but this isn’t the case any longer. We seem to be getting large numbers of sighthounds all year round. And some are sadly in a poor condition, either physically or mentally. One of our most recent Lurchers is a young girl called Penelope, a stray who came to us with a broken leg which we’ve since repaired.

“These dogs are really misunderstood, especially concerning their need for long and frequent walks. Despite the belief that they require excessive exercise, they are typically calm and gentle a lot of the time. While they love to run and zoom, they also enjoy lounging indoors. Many sighthounds may initially need time to adjust to a home environment, but they soon reveal their gentle nature and become devoted companions.”

Some of Woodgreen’s sighthounds looking for their forever home

Gary

Four-year-old Greyhound Gary is a sweet and gentle soul who loves food, walks and cuddles. He’s a big goofball when playing in the garden and enjoys curling up for a cuddle when he’s back inside. Gary has previously lived with children and is a friendly boy who wants a home to call his own.

Raven

Five-year-old Greyhound Raven has been with Woodgreen since September. She is currently enjoying life in a foster home, but is looking for a family of her own. She walks beautifully on a lead and is happy to wear her muzzle, which will be a part of her routine in her new home. Raven is also learning to have fun with toys and loves to entertain herself by tossing them around.

Daenerys

Six-year-old Saluki Daenerys is Woodgreen’s longest resident over the past 12 months, having been searching for a home since August last year. Daenerys is looking for a female only adult home with someone who has the time and patience to help her come out of her shell. In return, she’ll be your loyal best friend and put a smile on your face every single day.

If you’d like to rehome or find out more about these dogs, please visit Meet our rescue pets | Woodgreen Pets Charity