Mouse is a Tia dog, rehomed just after the first lockdown in 2020. Unfortunately, she has recently become ill; she started with a fever, then began limping, and was hospitalised soon afterwards. She has since been treated for osteoarthritis, cellulitis and has had a quick-growing tumour removed from her back.
However, this left her with an unstable hock on her back right leg, which has greatly deteriorated, and she now needs surgery which will see a metal plate inserted into her leg in order to preserve its function.
Her owner Sue says: “I have already far exceeded the limit of £7,000 that I have on [Mouse’s] insurance, so I’m looking to see if I can raise some of the money to get her the surgery she needs. It has been a really hard decision to ask for money, but I am Mouse’s custodian so it is my job to do everything I can for her.”
Mouse needs your help.
You can do so by following this link and donating. The community and Tia supporters have rallied around Mouse, already raising £4,175 of the £4,500 goal.
You can read the full article on Mouse and Sue from the Chronicle here.
Following the closure of Crayford Track a couple of weeks ago, Guy Kelly of the Telegraph published this article on greyhound racing.
Certainly makes for an interesting read on the past and current state of the industry, but the comments section is where the interesting stuff is to be found…
Whilst there are a lot of people who understand the plight of these animals both during and after their racing career, there is a frankly staggering amount who are in flat-out denial.
The poll below says it all, really.
The closure of Crayford is just the most recent blow to the crumbling racing industry. In the 1940s, there were 77 registered tracks; that number now sits at 19. The demise of the independent circuit is even more impressive, going from over 200 tracks to just one, Thornton Stadium in Scotland.
So, regardless of how many of those in the comments love a “night at the dogs”, the fact remains; the sport is fading, fast. But perhaps more importantly, people are becoming aware as to the true nature of the industry.
“The sport was introduced to Britain 99 years ago but, with interest waning and calls from activists to ban it, it may not live long past 100”
On 04/11/2024, two greyhounds arrived at a stray kennel in Yorkshire within hours of each other. Both were young black males, in good condition though understandable petrified and freezing. They had both been pulled out of the same shipping canal by members of the public. Not just any canal, but a very deep canal with steep sides so nothing can scramble out.
Very long story short, they came to Tia. Lovely young dogs who think the joint is epic.
Silas has already bagged himself a great home with a family, not far from our kennel. The other Rami, wont be long after his mate.
After a lot of digging, (CSI would be impressed), we think we have managed to track their journey. Their trainer rehomed them via an independent greyhound rescue center “allegedly” and absolved themselves of all responsibility. We had never heard of this kennel, neither had other rescues or trainers and frankly after nearly thirty years in rescue, if we haven’t heard of it……..
Several hours later, time we will never get back, we stumbled on the answer. A new limited company, based at an old hunt kennels in Yorkshire had taken twenty greyhounds off a licensed trainer, or had they?
I was informed by one of the GBGB’s Stipendiary Stewards that the owner of the kennels had seen the error of his ways and is keeping all the remaining 18 dogs. They are all safe and well and he had seen the kennel first hand and they are outstanding.
Long story short….i was contacted by on New Years Eve by the GBGB’s Director of Regulations. The overseer of safeguarding the sports integrity & ensuring high standards….he assured me that all the dogs were well, but as it was such a serious case he had passed it on to the rspca. The other trainers had taken their dogs back out though… we didn’t know that snippet…
When i asked him where the two dogs were that had been dragged out of the canal, he said that they had gone to a rehoming center in Norfolk and had since been rehomed together….
How marvelous. I did put him out of his misery, after toying with him for a while, obviously…
I seriously hope the other 18 aren’t in that shipping canal…
At Tia, fostering is a key part of the rehoming process. Taking these dogs straight from the track and expecting them to settle in a “forever home” is oftentimes impossible; they need time to adapt.
Fostering helps prepare them for home life; it gives the dog time to get used to things they never would have experienced in a kennel, allows their confidence to grow and their personality to shine through, and ultimately helps us find the perfect home for them.
Our expectations for fosters are simple; to look after the dog in your own home and to teach them how to settle into life outside the kennels. You pay for their daily care, but any veterinary treatment is paid for by Tia.
Perhaps this is something you could do? To help you decide, please read a few testimonials from past fosters here.
“… but undeniably the most rewarding thing [about fostering] is when they leave for their forever home. Knowing you helped them along the way and will be settled for life.”
Also, a word to anyone currently fostering with us; if we haven’t been in touch for a while we’re sorry, it’s been a bit hectic with rehoming and new dogs coming in. We haven’t forgotten about you…
Rehoming
You may have seen Eleanor’s recent video diary from her journey to her new home in the Netherlands.
Well, Salacres Mac wanted to experience a ferry as well… here he is, heading off to the Isle of Man with his new mom.
Other dogs are still looking for the right home. We have some new arrivals on the farm…
Amelia
Amelia has been here just over a week and is a gorgeous little girl…
Comfy there, lass?
Kit
Another from the welfare case, Kit needs a loving home to make him shine.
A bit of TLC & some good food for this one.
Rami
It’s not that long ago that Rami (and his Buddy Silas) were fighting for their lives in a canal near Selby.
Silas below has now bagged himself a great home, not too far from us.
We hope that his buddy Rami will not be too far behind him…
If you can foster or rehome him, please call Deb.
These are just a few of the dogs we have looking for homes; you can see all of them here.
And, for those of you south of the Scottish border, Cliffe kennels are inundated with lurchers. Not all the dogs are on the Facebook page, so give them a ring if you are interested in rehoming.
Staff Needed
We have found two new members of staff for the kennels, but we are still looking for two more.
Various shifts and days, 8 – 4PM. Minimum wage applies. Must have your own transport.
Some of the girls enjoying the weather… even the hedge sparrows ventured out for a sunbathe…
And yes, this is the same horse… oh Norman
The Benefact Group
A massive thanks to all who nominated us in the Benefact Group Movement for Good charity draw. We have been lucky enough to be drawn out to receive a £1000 donation!
You can still nominate us here, as there are further draws throughout the year. If you already have in 2025, you will automatically be entered into all eligible draws for this year. It really is worth 2 mins of your time.
Valentine’s Raffle
Also a thank you to everyone who has entered into our valentine’s raffle so far. It is of course still open; tickets are £5 each, and the draw will take place on 10th February.
You can check out the prizes and buy your tickets here.
Angie & Celine are two cobs that we rescued from the death field in Wroot some years ago. They were with us until August 2022, when they both found a new home out on the Isle of Lewis.
Here they are, living their best life… I could do a lengthy caption, but I think the video speaks for itself, really…!
To think that at the time, they were so weak and close to death we were advised to put them to sleep…
