Sponsoring a Greyhound with us
Here at Barley Greyhound Sanctuary, we aren't just a rehoming centre finding loving forever homes for retired racing Greyhounds, we also provide a lifelong safe haven for Greyhounds that can't be homed for any reason.
Many people say that kennels are no life for a dog, but most Greyhounds have only ever known kennel life so some really struggle / can't adjust to a home environment. For some Greyhounds a kennel environment with familiar surroundings and routine is the only place that they ever feel safe, secure and happy as that is what they are used to.
Us, our staff and volunteers are with the dogs all day, everyday. The Greyhounds here enjoy lovely walks in the countryside/forest that surround us, they are well fed, watered, have comfy beds and get to spend time playing in our sand / grass paddocks multiple times everyday. They each have toys, treats and unconditional love. They have the security of knowing their routine and never have to worry about the unusual things that come with living in a home (being touched while they are asleep / eating, being left alone, being walked in busy / built up areas, children, small animals, being expected to be the perfect pet etc). For our sponsor hounds their life with us at the kennels is a very happy one where they feel safe and will continue to be provided with the care and love they need throughout their lives.
Although some of the Greyhounds arrive into our care with a small one-off financial contribution from their racing owners, this does not stretch far, especially when they stay more than a couple of months or become a permanent Barley resident. We rely heavily on donations from kind supporters to allow us to continue the work that we do for Greyhounds and being able to care for them throughout their lives.
You can help our permanent sanctuary hounds by sponsoring them for as little as £10 a month. You can do this via our PayPal - Barleykennels@yahoo.co.uk or you can contact us for our bank details. Please let us know via email if you're sponsoring so we can add your name to our sponsors list that is displayed at the kennels. If you would like to sponsor a certain hound as a present for someone please let us know and we can send you a sponsorship certificate (email - barleykennels@yahoo.co.uk).
Please don't feel sorry for Greyhounds that need to stay in a kennel environment to feel safe, as long as they are looked after and loved they are very content with their kennel lives and it's what is best for the welfare of those individual dogs that can't cope with home life.
You can see our sponsor hounds and information about them below.
RIO - Rio joined us in 2020. When he arrived he was so nervous he would lay in the corner of his bed quivering and shaking. He was so scared of everything and everyone that we even questioned his quality of life. Slowly but surely we began to gain his trust and we saw little improvements each day. He is now a totally different dog to the one that arrived with us, he such a happy loving boy, jumps up for cuddles, loves playing in our field and enjoys his walks in the quiet countryside. He is still extremely scared of people he doesn't know and in surroundings unfamiliar to him though so he stays with us where he is happy, loved and feels safe.
VICKY - This stunning girl is Vicky, she joined us in 2018 and is an extremely nervous girl who doesn't like change or anything unfamiliar. She has a very quirky temperament and can be aggressive towards other dogs. She is happy and content here at Barley and will stay with us for life where she is safe and very loved.
HOPE - Hope joined us back in 2019. She was a nervous wreck and had suffered a broken hock that had been left untreated. We arranged for her to see our vet and she had surgery to fix her leg which was thankfully a success. It took a few months to gain her trust but she is now the most amazing and happy girl who has a zest for life, loves her walks and often joins us at tea break for biscuits and cuddles. Sadly she has quite an unpredictable temperament with other dogs so she will stay with us for life where she is happy, loved, safe and cared for.
GUS - Gorgeous boy Gus joined us back in 2020. He was quite a shy and wary boy when he first arrived but he soon settled in and has become a firm favourite with all our staff and volunteers. It became clear that Gus hates change and doesn't cope at all if his routine is disrupted, even in the smallest of ways. His temperament towards people and other dogs can also be unpredictable at times so we've taken the decision to keep him at Barley as a sponsor hound where he is safe and he has a solid routine everyday. He's very settled here and he feels safe knowing his surroundings and routine.
MR CHIPS - This handsome boy is 6 year old Mr Chips. He's a big lad weighing 40kg but a gentle giant who loves cuddles. He originally joined us in 2021 for rehoming but it quickly became clear that he had some problems with his spine. Due to this he stays with us where he is safe and can receive any treatment he may need. He is doing well at the moment and enjoys his strolls in the local countryside and snoozing on his comfy bed.
GILES - This gorgeous boy is 6 year old Giles. He came to us in January 2021 and did initially find a wonderful home but he was returned to our care a few months later. During his time with us it has become clear that he loves his life at the sanctuary and due to his incredibly high prey drive it's much safer for him to stay with us. He is best friends with Vicky (also a sponsor hound). They love playing in the field together, enjoying walks in the forest and cuddling up together on their big comfy bed.