UK: Ayres is the setting for greyhound rescue walk

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From www.iomtoday.co.im

Ayres is the setting for greyhound rescue walk

Description: DOG LOVERS: Organisers were happy to meet many of the dogs at
the event who were re-housed former racers. PHOTO: John Maddrell JM120805
(20).

DOG LOVERS: Organisers were happy to meet many of the dogs at the event who
were re-housed former racers. PHOTO: John Maddrell JM120805 (20).

Published on Saturday 18 August 2012 11:45

THE Ayres Nature Reserve was once again host for Team Greyhound’s annual
fundraising Dog Lovers’ Walk and Get-Together, an important event in the
organisation’s efforts to rescue and re-home vulnerable dogs.

The four-mile sponsored walk was the fourth held in the area – the only
National Nature Reserve in the island – and helped raise more than £1,300 in
donations and sales from the stalls.

Team Greyhound’s Sally McMullen explained that local outfit formed in
response to alarming reported figures of greyhounds left on the scrapheap
after short racing careers.

They raise money for Manx greyhound rescue charity Homesafe, aiding their
work to rehabiltiate and re-home unwanted greyhounds.

Homesafe work to find island residents that may be able to offer homes to
some of the 10,000 dogs that retire from racing each year across the British
Isles.

Mainly bred in Ireland, as many as 5,000 racers disappear each year.

Sally said: ‘It was wonderful to see so many people and dogs taking part. We
met lots of greyhounds who have been lucky enough to find homes in the
island.

‘We chose the Ayres because it is a delightful place to walk and enjoy the
nature and views between the visitors’ centre at Ballaghennie and the Point
of Ayre lighthouse. It is a wide open space, with the sea to one side and a
choice of many pathways through the heather, with flat walking, which is
open to the public and where dogs and owners are welcome.’

Sally added:‘We would like to thank everyone who came, and the following
people and organisations for their generosity and invaluable assistance: The
Pet Stop in Douglas; Purrfect Pets in Onchan; Pets at Home; Rover Ritz;
Shoprite; Marks and Spencer; Royal Bank of Scotland; The Ayres Warden and
last, but not least, Kay, Roy and Keith for helping with the refreshments by
the lighthouse.’

There were prizes for the walkers who raised the most money, who will win a
portrait of their pet by artist Meriel Lloyd. Winners will soon be notified.