Animal Rescue with Marion Garnett
IT WAS worth going to Chiswick House Dog Show. Not only was it a fabulous afternoon but also I learnt something new about All Dogs Matter (ADM).
I’ve known about this charity with many celebrity supporters (Ricky Gervais, Peter Egan – to name a couple) since it began and many readers will have met ADM at the Ealing Animals Fair.
However, as they’re based in North London, I haven’t featured them here before. But, at the Show, I learnt they have a strong contingent in Chiswick so now is the time to spotlight this busy group.
Since they were founded in 2009, ADM have rescued over 3500 dogs. Last year they rehomed over 300 dogs. They don’t mess around. They’ve just taken in seven beautiful ex-racing greyhounds who are now looking for homes. Trigger is just one of them.
Greyhounds are popular pets. Although all dogs are individuals, greyhounds are well-known for being couch potatoes. After a walk, they generally like snoozing on the sofa.
In order to help people adopt an ex-racing greyhound, ADM have outlined what a racing greyhound is likely to experience in kennels and how to help them make the transition to home life.
For most greyhounds, life in racing kennels is predictable, their life revolves around allotted times for feeding, exercise and racing. Before they retire, they won’t have experienced a home environment.
In practical terms this means, for example, that greyhounds may not be toilet trained – they do, however, usually pick this up quickly.
Because racing greyhounds are unlikely to have encountered stairs before, some have initial difficulty with these. Stairs need to be introduced slowly. They tend to prefer carpeted stairs to avoid slipping.
Also some greyhounds struggle with the concept of windows/glass doors and will try to run through them. ADM suggests if your greyhound has this problem to put coloured tape in an X on the glass to show them they can’t run through it.
Importantly, greyhounds are trained to chase “small furries” so, depending on their prey drive, ADM emphasise they may need to be on a lead and wear a muzzle indefinitely when out and about.
Despite all this, greyhounds can make incredibly rewarding pets. If you’re interested in adopting Trigger or any of ADM’s dogs, see alldogsmatter.co.uk.
In order to raise funds, ADM are holding a Halloween Dog Walk and Parade on October 31. We’re invited to meet at the Spaniards Inn, Hampstead. Tickets (£5/adult) are available online.
Categories for the parade includespookiest dog/child/adult.