Hi Hazel,

The RGT (Retired Greyhound Trust) traditionally re-home dogs from Shawfield.  They are the official charity of the NGRC (National Greyhound Racing Club) and recieve some money from them, albeit a tiny ammount in percentage terms.  They do not rehome as many dogs as GAL does.

GAL are an independant charity and recieve absolutly no money from the racing industry - neither official NGRC tracks or "flapping" council licenced tracks.  We are apporached by individuals looking to "off load" dogs which are surplus to requirements, usually that they are no longer able to race due to age or injury sustained in racing.  Some of GAL's dogs also come from members of the general public who can no longer look after them for whatever reason, and some from other rescues and charities.

The difference between the sitiation here and in Wales (as the aritcle shows) is that the tracks there have given money to GRW (Greyhound Rescue Wales), which is not the case here.  In fact after a recent terrible case of creulty (see article) the cynics amonst us will see this as the inductry's way of trying to buy back public favour, and very little to do with the welfare of the dogs. 

What annoys many of us is that GAL and it's people work tirelessly to save dogs which would otherwise be destroyed, in so doing assist the industry to promote a friendly caring image, but get no support in the process.  In effect the industry "free loads" on rescues like ours without assisting us with our substantial costs (except individual donations which we receive from some trainers).

A further concern of mine is that articles like this suggest to the public that all (or nearly all) racing greyhounds are homed - further ligitimising the industry.  This is in fact not the case.