I have been wanting to write this for a long while so here we go.
The perception of Tia is that we have lots of staff and lots of money. We have neither.
The reality is that we are hanging on by a thread. We have two members of staff on the yard, it was a very welcome surprise when Joshua who worked for us in Doncaster moved up, the lovely Kaela who frankly should be a super model not shoveling horse poo. Shannon and Ria in the kennels who have been here almost from the beginning who adore the dogs. Karen and our fabulous Emma at Pickering, Emma goes above and beyond running the online shop and Ebay in her own time as well as helping Jess out with the stalls. Josh in Doncaster who runs the office, sponsor scheme, website, web shop and everything else…he is brilliant.
And of course Bob.
Over the past year Bob has had only 4 days off. I don’t mean 37.5 hours a week with days off and holidays, i mean 4 days off.
He has worked 362 last year putting in at least 11 hours every day. He does however only get paid for 37.5 hours a week.
We are dead on our feet and we need help. We can’t afford to pay anymore staff, and with everything set to rise again i honestly don’t know what the future of Tia is. So I’m asking for help. We need people to come and have a free holiday in the Scottish Highlands, we have a cottage that sleeps four, for friends, family & volunteers. The catch? You stay at the farm 2 nights a week and look after the animals once the staff have left for the day. There won’t be a massive amount to do, just suppers for the dogs and check in on the rest of the animals. We won’t be far away if needed, but we seriously need some time off, even a couple of nights a month. We need some rest..
Since putting this post on we have had some really, unexpected, amazing news which means we are on the lookout for 2 new kennel assistants at the the farm.
In effect we are doubling the team so we can fill the empty kennels…YEAH!!
However this does not alter the fact that we need some time off.
If you want to help Tia continue, please email me deb@tia-rescue.org
Adopting a greyhound or lurcher from Tia is the beginning of a long friendship with one of the kindest, gentlest, and quietest dog breeds you will ever find. (They are smart too: which one of you has to go to work to feed the dog….?) Greyhounds and lurchers make wonderful companions as anyone who has adopted one before will be only too keen to tell you… whether you want to know or not!
Adopting one of our dogs is a journey for both you and the dog, but you may not realise that your adoption donation will help all the other dogs here at Tia too.
Before you adopt your new companion, we will have cared for him or her, possibly for many months or even years. The dog will have had a check-up with a vet, they will have been neutered, ‘micro-chipped’, possibly had dental work and will definitely have had lots of feeds! This, of course, all costs money and your adoption donation goes some way to helping us meet these essential expenses which really are never-ending.
Sadly, for various reasons, not all our dogs can be rehomed: perhaps they have health or mobility issues or, occasionally, they are just too nervous to make adoption practical. This means that we will have to find the means to look after our ‘for-ever’ resident dogs for the rest of their lives. Of course, we just love to do that, and we try to make their lives interesting and varied as well as safe, but to do this means that we have to keep funds coming in.
So, when you make your adoption donation, you are not just giving a new home to your new family member, you are helping lots of other Tia dogs as well. Your donation will help pay for staff, vets, accommodation, food and even treats.
It is up to you to decide how much to donate, but we ask for a donation of at least £350 which will help to cover some of the costs of caring for your new dog before she or he decided to let you adopt them. As an animal rescue charity, Tia will be able to claim Gift Aid on your donation (if you are an eligible UK taxpayer) and this makes your donation go even further.
So, thank you from all the dogs and their staff here at Tia for making a home for one of our four-legged friends and for helping to look after all the other dogs both now and for the future. Every penny helps and we all deeply appreciate your kind donation.
We would bet the ranch this is Fern’s brother. Rusty is a stray that has come from the same place. The reunion was like something out of Long-Lost Family. Rusty is about 18 months old and will paying a visit to the vet shortly. We haven’t told him.
Meanwhile let’s enjoy the dance. Tissues are advised.
Like so many, a plain black dog looking for a soft place to fall.
Veteran of 111 races and winner of twenty of them. Poor Marley got caught up in a very rough race back in March and ended his career by showing his displeasure! He had won in some style only the fortnight before. Time he hung up his muzzle anyway.
“Marley is a lovely boy who we had the pleasure of taking to a local park today.
He travelled well in the car – jumped straight in and laid down for the journey. It was all new when we arrived, and Marley was excited when he saw other dogs to begin and did bark with excitement on a few occasions (what dog wouldn’t), but never pulled on his lead, despite other dogs being off theirs. We saw a horse, which he stood aside for and watched pass by at a distance.
By the end of our walk, Marley wasn’t really interested in what else was going on in the park, and even laid down when we stopped for a rest/photos! He loved a treat!
Jumped straight back in the car and laid down for the journey home.”
Another little poppet who got fed up with this ridiculous game. Five wins though until the penny dropped. Maggie kept running into a wall of dogs bigger than her and eventually learned how to keep out of trouble. SAw (Slowly away) started to creep in to her form. Atta girl Maggie love. Spayed and ready to start a new chapter. The sooner the better frankly as far as she is concerned.
Maggie has joined us in Nairn recently. Her sister JoJo is still back in Doncaster, so convenient either way if you are looking for a lovely straightforward type of girl.
Sofa mate of superstar Warzone Tom (right) and idolised by his owner. Open racer and no slouch either. This is a sad case but heartening to see a trainer ensuring his dogs safety. We have known him for years and are honoured that he rang us. Had things been otherwise Sammy would be on his sofa until his last breath.
We have a celebrity in our midst. Believe me if it were not for a family situation, we would not be getting a sniff of this dog. A superb athlete. Two Group 1’s, including the Golden Collar, two track records and more Opens than a boy can count.
Thirty-four wins. Tommy and his mate Sammy (left) know more of racing than the rest of the barn dogs put together.
Owned by a member of a generation that wouldn’t let a dog out their sight, never mind ownership. This elderly man drove the 300 miles himself to ensure Tommy and Sammy’s safety. We have known him for decades and have no intention of failing his trust.
Ideally, we would like someone we know or a previous greyhound owner.
Brand new boy from a new trainer. Just a baby. No effort was spared in his connections bid to get him qualified. His siblings are equally talented. Let us get him out of here before our founder falls in love again.
Last raced June 2023 trailing in last after a bit of a rough race, something we hate to see. Took nine races in his career and deserved a better finish. Apparently, he is very gentle and friendly. Also, he is clean in his kennel.
Desperately needs a change of luck. Mac is part of the welfare batch and is now in Scotland. He is only a little chap and is full of fun already.
