In July 24 Home Run Hounds was granted Charity Status and is now Home Run Hounds Greyhound Charity No. 1209071 currently headed up by Trustees Claire Butler and Tracey Parbery (Chair). Now operating 6 Branches all Volunteer Led.
As of late 2024 we are now registered with the Fundraising Regulator and appear in Fundraising Regulator Directory on the official Fundraising Regulator website, showing we have committed to follow the Code of Fundraising Practice and the Fundraising Promise which includes the following four values that support the codes:
- Legal: All fundraising must meet the requirements of the law.
- Open: Fundraisers must be open with the public about their processes and must be willing to explain (where appropriate) if they are asked for more information.
- Honest: Fundraisers must act with integrity and must not mislead the public about the cause they are fundraising for or the way a donation will be used.
- Respectful: Fundraisers must demonstrate respect whenever they have contact with any member of the public.
We are also registered for GIFT AID and if a Tax Payer your donation is increased by 25% to the Charity
Claire calls on her experience from over 30 years with the breed including volunteering at several "homing" charities which gives her a strong basis in which to develop our new Homing centres, initially started in 2022 and assisted by many volunteers who share the same passion for Greyhounds.
Tracey has been involved with Greyhounds for several years and was Chair of Greyhound Trust Hall Green for 5 years, winning an award and homing over 1,000 greyhounds with her volunteer team, in her time as Chair before leaving and moving to Volunteer led Home Run Hounds.
Home Run Hounds now has 6 sites based in Wombourne, Stourbridge, Shenstone Nr Lichfield, Brandon in Suffolk, run by Ingrid Wright, Rixton Nr Warrington run by Joanne Johnson and team and Romford (Wickford) in Essex run by Katie and Andrew Isaac where all the hounds under our care rely on donations to help the increasing number of retiring greyhounds it is now assisting.
Claire, Tracey, Ingrid, Joanne, Katie and Andrew are backed by dedicated volunteers who come to the sites to walk the greyhounds and take them on new "adventures" to experience new sights and sounds that they may not have experienced whilst "racing". Ingrid Wright at Home Run Hounds Eastern Counties Greyhound Charity is currently building on her vast experience as a former Greyhound Trust Manager to expand the Suffolk Branch based near Lakenheath with assistance from dedicated volunteers, Joanne Johnson formally of Greyhound Trust Mersey and Cheshire is heading up our newest Branch Home Run Hounds North West and has years of experience in the homing world and Andrew and Katie are also tapping into their vast homing experience to expand their Romford in Essex Homing Centre as well as developing homing relationships overseas including Europe, the USA and Canada to help our Greyhounds find the right "forever" home.
Greyhounds are still not seen by the wider "Dog Loving" public as pets although they are the most loving of breeds and from birth develop a strong connection with their human counterparts.
Greyhounds are a "pure" breed and can very often trace their lineage back many, many years. They are not a "designer" pet costing £1,000's but for a modest donation you can home a wonderful dog/bitch and have the full support of Home Run Hounds from adoption until it is time for them to cross Rainbow Bridge.
Home Run Hounds offers Foster-to- Adopt which means that potential adopters, having chosen a potential new family member, can foster that hound for 2 weeks (or longer) to see if both pet and family are suited. This has proven to be extremely successful and takes the "pressure" off both families and "hounds" who all need to settle into a new life.
Home Run Hounds also does not discriminate on age, so will consider all ages when homing a greyhound, allowing the older generation to continue to enjoy a faithful friend's company into their older years, helping not only with loneliness, but mental stimulation as well.
Home Run Hounds works with the Boating Community across the country to home Greyhounds to boats as well as flats, with expert volunteers ensuring criteria are met.
Home Run Hounds is not only a Homing Centre but also works with the Community to benefit the area by involving both “homed” and “homeless” hounds in various activities that can benefit both people and hounds. These activities include:-
- Working with various Care Homes in the area to visit residents with certain mental health needs as well as giving enjoyment of the visit to all who reside at the Home.
- Visiting End-of-Life Care Homes to try and brighten up patient's last days.
- Conducting Group Community talks for all ages.
- Women’s Institute Evening talks with "homed"/"homeless" hounds present.
- Supporting various “Weight Watcher” Groups by increasing weight loss through walking activities.
- Working with the disabled to enhance their mental and physical experiences.
- Working with Work Experience Pupils who want to work in the "homing" environment.
We believe the Home Run Hounds Greyhound Charity makes a difference and from our visits and interactions so far, we are pleased to see we make a difference for people residing and working in our areas.
Home Run Hounds is Volunteer run...every penny you donate is not spent on salaries or buildings, it is spent where it matters most on the 100 plus hounds in our care across our 6 Branches.
In order for our Homing Centres to survive we need to be able to broadcast our services and get our name into the Public Arena as an alternative to the expensive Breeding options and Charities that will not home to the older generation. If you can help in any way that would be greatly appreciated.
If you are interested in visiting Home Run Hounds Kennels or having a general chat then you can call us on 07488 253537, email us at hello@homerunhounds.co.uk, like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/HomeRunHoundsGreyhoundCharity/ or join in one of our monthly walks to discover more.
