FIVE ex-racing greyhounds have flown to a new life in America thanks to an Amman Valley-based rescue charity.

The Irish greyhounds, previously owned by a Wales-based trainer, have travelled to new homes in north-western USA under a partnership between Greyhound Rescue Wales (GRW), who have a sanctuary in Garnant, and Flying Irish Greyhounds (FIG).

The dogs, who had to be healthy enough to travel and not overly anxious, have been cared for by a team of specially recruited short-term foster carers across Wales, who ensured the dogs were neutered and given the necessary vaccinations and have introduced them to life as a family pet.

GRW founder Alain Thomas said: “The dogs are Irish bred greyhounds that belonged to a south Wales-based trainer and raced on registered tracks in England before retiring. The trainer is well known to GRW as a reliable and genuine person who cares for his dogs; the person who delivered the dogs was visibly upset at parting with them and could tell us about their personalities.

“The dogs were not able to stay at our Hillcrest sanctuary near Ammanford due to space, so we made a special appeal for short-term foster homes and six people came forward. The foster carers have done a brilliant job preparing the dogs for their new lives, supported by GRW’s behaviour consultant Kerry Sands and Hillcrest manager Sandra Wynne, and ‘buddied’ by volunteers Deb Fawkes-Williams and Nicola Danielle Jones.

“We are delighted to have been able to help FIG and now hope this partnership could lead to new homes for between 15 and 30 Irish-bred and Wales-based greyhounds each year.”

Flying Irish Greyhounds founder Patricia Roy said: “Greyhounds are still not regarded as pets in Ireland, despite efforts to raise awareness. For this reason FIG - and all Irish greyhound rescues - rehomes greyhounds outside of Ireland, but this is not the solution. Public education is needed to encourage greyhound adoptions within Ireland, and we hope that our efforts to provide more adoptive homes will help to raise awareness.

“We chose to work with GRW for their experience, professionalism, dedication to greyhound welfare and their capacity for teamwork. Alain was very helpful and supportive when FIG was launched and introduced us to Wales-based HOPE Rescue, which will transport the greyhounds from Wales to London Gatwick.”

For more information about GRW’s and FIG’s work and the benefits of adopting a greyhound, go to greyhoundrescuewales.co.uk and flyingirishgreyhounds.org.