Jan 8, 2025 | News
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
We haven’t had any offers to date…12/01/2025
Jun 29, 2020 | Dogs for Rehoming
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.
To Rehome me…
Email us at: rehoming@tia-rescue.org
Jun 15, 2025 | News
Our fundraising stall will be at Trinity Walk Shopping Centre, Wakefield next Sat 21st June, 10am to 4pm ish, in our usual place outside Sainsburys. We are not allowed to have dogs ourselves but the shopping centre does allow dogs, should anyone like to visit us.
We will also happily receive donated items for the Pickering shop or for future tombolas, which we are always in need of. This includes bottles, teddies, plus items for children and adults. Please remember that goods should be in a clean saleable condition, food items must be unopened and in date, and toiletries unopened.
Jun 12, 2025 | News
We hope you’ll join us at one of the Tia shows this year.
We are in the process of booking some fabulous stalls but still have room for more, so please get in touch if you would like one.
Please print the posters & spread the word by displaying them & handing them out. Let’s make these shows bigger & better than ever.
LINK TO DOWNLOAD HALIFAX SHOW POSTER
LINK TO DOWNLOAD NAIRN SHOW POSTER
Thank you!
Jun 9, 2025 | Dogs for Rehoming
Hope
Well, that’s not very elegant young lady. How’s that for a bed fail. Hope came into Tia with her friend Faith a few months ago having been found straying in Leeds. Both dogs have thrived under the care of their foster folks, and we thank them for all the help. Fostering is not always easy and requires far more than just picking the dogs up from the pound.
Faith has snagged a great home for herself and now it is Hope’s turn. Described as a bit lazy and thoroughly enjoys the comforts after her adventures. Hope isn’t that big and is a sucker for naps, cwtches and belly rubs. A young dog, barely two years old and fairly small. Still with her foster folk in South Yorkshire. A little belter.
Nice jim-jams Hope.
Mar 26, 2025 | Dogs for Rehoming, Dogs for Rehoming (Nairn)
Gina (Ballymac Gloss)
born 4 Dec 2021
Quite beautiful. Spayed and ready to go to her new home. Won 4 times so not entirely disgraced. Just a little girl, standing in front of the world, asking someone to love her.
Gina is gorgeous and loves the place. The lady just lays in her bed smiling and wagging her tail. Flicks her paw occasionally when you catch her eye.
“We had the pleasure of fostering Gina and she is absolutely beautiful. She is very loving and affectionate with people and sociable with other dogs. Gina has met many different breeds, whilst on her lead, during her time with us (Collies, Labradors, Jack Russels, Spaniels, Beagles, Lhasa Apso) and she has been very calm & friendly with them all. She has met other breeds one on one and in small groups. Gina is alert with other animals, such as rabbits and birds.
Gina loves running off lead in the enclosed dog park… doing zoomies…. and playing with (killing!) her soft toys! She will try her luck counter surfing and stick her snout in any cup of tea which might be left unattended! She is housetrained but does have the occasional accident at night but it’s still early days. She is a typical Greyhound who is going to make someone a cracking companion”
Well, she isn’t going to be here long is she!
Jun 4, 2025 | News
Continuing with National Volunteer Week; we give a huge thanks to the volunteers at LifeScan Inverness, who have done an amazing job repainting our old chicken shed.
With the old nest boxes removed yesterday (courtesy of Deb & Bob!), members of the LifeScan team came down today and did a brilliant job breathing some new life into the building.
Before…
After…
Remember, we are always in need of volunteers, so if you can help please get in touch at info@tia-rescue.org.
Thank you!
Jun 2, 2025 | News
…….and we have some of the best.
It has been brought to my attention that it is National Volunteer week! An ideal time to thank those who have stuck with us even after moving over 400 miles from our core team. Also, we are grateful for the support from our new volunteers who keep the wheels oiled on a daily basis. I cannot think of another rescue so blessed with back-room boys and girls. Some have been with Tia since the Sewage Farm, forced to drive through hysterical nutters to get to the kennels. Others risked their chassis on that minefield of a lane at Moorside or braved the travellers at Doncaster.
Being so rural now in the Highlands, we don’t attract the same numbers of helpers, and we would not be able to carry on without those who stick with us. Tia is still active “down south” and a dozen dogs have found homes this year through our new initiative. The trainers are very grateful for our/their help and have forged friendships with our supporters. As one trainer put it, “I just hand them a list of what can go out and leave them to it.” We learned of three more ex-racers packing their bags only this morning.
A special mention to the fund-raising team. They have caught the reins and taken over the running of the shows and events. I personally cannot thank you enough for doing this. These events are our shop window and let’s be honest, it was never my strong suit! The sight of the tombola made me break out in a cold sweat and I never got the hang of the tent. As for smiling at the customers and answering the one hundredth question about cats, well you know the rest. Thanking for spotting where we were failing and saving the day.
A new team has formed whist I wasn’t looking. The ladies who have taken over the promotion of those in need of a home. Some of you have noticed a fresher style in our write ups. We couldn’t go on saying “she’ll fit in your top pocket” could we. Thanks girls.
I am grateful to the local volunteers who have pointed us towards to reliable tradesmen, suppliers and the like. Be it sourcing marrow bones or establishing contacts for carpets, Tia would not have been up and running so quickly without your local knowledge. A few more dog walkers would be welcome. The feedback for the individual dog is extremely useful.
The ability to push a button on my phone and know one of you will step in is priceless. Be it transporting dogs, dropping off sardines or striding fearlessly into the jaws of a shady allotment shed, I thank you so much.
May 30, 2025 | Dogs for Rehoming (Doncaster)
Sassy (Tis Roundthebend)
born Apr 2021
Finished racing a month ago and just finished so far back Sassy was disqualified. Now this young lady is a huge favourite with the kennel staff. Bouncy, full of life and struts about with her tail in the air.
Also, very beautiful as you can see.
May 30, 2025 | Dogs for Rehoming (Doncaster)
Fame (Proud Fame)
born Dec 2021
Fame was positively murdered in her what proved to be her final race. A thumping big 36 kg bloke knocked her over at the second bend. Now any girl worth her slingbacks isn’t going to take that lying down. Fame showed her displeasure, earning herself an instant dis-qualification from this stupid game.
Pity really as up to that point, Fame had proved herself to be a reliable little racer. Fame is a calm girl, sure of herself and knows her own mind. Choosy sort is how trainer put it.
May 23, 2025 | News
Upcoming Events
This Sunday 25th May we will be holding a fundraising stall at Lakeside Village Outlet, Doncaster DN4 5PH, 10am to 4pm. We’d love to see some of you there. The outlet is dog-friendly, with many of the shops also allowing dogs inside.
We have a number of upcoming events in the Yorkshire area
21st June – Wakefield Trinity Walk Shopping Centre
12th July – Kirkstall Festival, Leeds
26th July – Avril’s Tia Coffee Morning in Meltham, Huddersfield
More details to follow on these.
Scottish Fundraisers and Supporters Needed
We are also looking for Scottish fundraisers and supporters for events up here.
Emma (Pickering shop manager), Jess (Yorkshire fundraiser), and the gorgeous Izzy are coming up at the end of August to help with the dog show at the farm. They are also going with collection buckets to;
2nd Sept – Sainsbury’s Nairn
3rd Sept – Tesco Elgin
30th August – Tesco Inverness (not confirmed at the moment)
If you are available to help and if possible take over doing these events occasionally, that would be great; please email Jess at jessm@tia-rescue.org
Dot and Jack
Thankfully Dot and Jack have recovered from their recent falls.
Sadly, it’s not all good news. Dot has got kidney disease, she’s been having tests on and off for a while..
Old, old dogs…
Ozzy
We’ve had an update from Ozzy’s new mum and dad, proving how quickly and easily most Greyhounds settle in to their new homes!
“It’s only been 4 weeks but Ozzy (was Oscar) has settled in brilliantly! He is a proper sun worshipper and he’s done so well training at the dog park and being braver with other dogs near him. We’ve learnt to be super careful making our tuna sandwiches around him! And he’ll shoot through like a bullet if he hears any packet being rustled in the kitchen! It’s so lovely to see his personality come through – he’s playful, stubborn and obsessed with his bed! He’s been a fantastic addition to our lives and we can’t thank you enough. All our family and friends have fallen in love with him too”
Well done Ozzy! For details on the dogs currently available for re-homing, please follow this link; thank you.
Carpet Needed
A brief request; we are desperately in need of carpet at the kennels. If you can help, please get in touch at 07974 960684. Thank you!
May 21, 2025 | News
This coming Sun 25th May, we will be doing a fundraising stall at Lakeside Village Outlet, Doncaster DN4 5PH, from 10am to 4pm. We’d love to see some of you there. The centre is dog-friendly with many of the shops allowing dogs inside.
We are also back at Wakefield Trinity Walk Shopping Centre on 21st June, at Kirkstall Festival, Leeds on 12th July, and Avril will be holding her annual Tia Coffee Morning in Meltham, Huddersfield on Sat 26th July. More details to follow on these.
