Retired greyhounds experience a day to remember at Burton Albion

Paws replaced boots pitch side at the Pirelli Stadium ahead of Burton Albion’s League One match against Oxford as retired greyhounds Cav and Honour met supporters.

The Brewers welcomed volunteers from Midlands-based Home Run Hounds, which operates three homing centres in Wombourne, Stourbridge and Shenstone all dedicated to finding racing greyhounds suitable homes in retirement.

It formed part of a new partnership between the football club and nearby Nottingham Greyhound Stadium, which will host a dedicated Burton Albion FC themed race night later this year.

Cav and Honour were joined outside the stadium by Clive Parbery, Tracey Parbery and Jo Withers from Home Run Hounds before parading around the touch line before kick-off to raise awareness of how greyhounds make fantastic pets in retirement.

The appearance ended with a PA announcement about both greyhounds and their personalities amid efforts to find them long-term homes.

Tracey Parbery, director of Home Run Hounds, thanked Burton Albion FC for their hospitality on the day and hopes more Brewers fans in search of a four-legged friend will consider homing a greyhound in retirement.

Tracey said: “Showcasing greyhounds to so many people was a wonderful opportunity to place the spotlight on the breed and educate people about how they make great pets.

“Cav and Honour loved their day out at the football and showed plenty of enthusiasm to join in with players’ warm-up sessions to the amusement of many.

“A special mention to Chairman Ben Robinson and players Steve Seddon and Mason Bennett who were so generous with their time before kick-off by meeting our greyhounds and volunteers who we’re entirely dependent upon.

“Greyhounds make the most wonderful pets in retirement. We find a lot of people misunderstand greyhounds by believing they require the levels of exercise associated with other working breeds.

“In reality, they are very laid back and will sleep for up to 20 hours each day requiring only two short walks. Our homing centres are open seven days a week, so anyone interested in learning more is very welcome to arrange a visit.”

Home Run Hounds is an approved Homing Centre by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) – the regulator of licensed greyhound racing – and underpinning the partnership is the GBGB’s Greyhound Retirement Scheme. 

This scheme helps with costs associated with a greyhound’s retirement via a £400 bond – paid jointly by its owner and the GBGB – which goes towards kennelling, feeding and caring for each greyhound whilst it awaits a suitable home. 

Lacie Moran who represented Nottingham Stadium on the day added: “Cav and Honour were fantastic ambassadors and perfectly demonstrated how sweet-natured greyhounds are in retirement.

“We spoke to supporters of all ages about the care requirements of owning a retired greyhound and it was great to engage so many people.

“Our thanks to Burton Albion FC for being so welcoming on the day and we look forward to welcoming the club trackside in the near future.”

Click here to find out more about Home Run Hounds or to arrange a kennel visit. Alternatively, contact the team via 07488 253537.