Check out the 2024 Greyhound & Lurcher Two-Week Takeover winning line up – and discover why these special dogs make such wonderful companions… | Blog
The Burgess Greyhound & Lurcher Two-Week Takeover – an annual event that began in 2019 – highlights the wonderful work of Greyhound and Lurcher rescue organisations across the UK. Each year, Burgess Pet Care also donates thousands of pounds worth of Supadog Greyhound & Lurcher food to nominated rescue centres to help feed hungry hounds who are waiting patiently to be chosen for adoption.
This year, Burgess received an incredible 4,000 nominations (up from 3,000 in 2023!) with six winning rescue centres receiving a very special delivery of delicious and nutritious Supadog Greyhound & Lurcher food.
DID YOU KNOW?
Sadly, Greyhounds often take longer to rehome because people do not always see them as family pets. But they can actually make the perfect pet. When people think of Greyhounds, they often conjure up images of super-fast, competitive dogs speeding off in pursuit of a small fluffy animal. So, it’s no surprise that we assume these dogs are high maintenance, aloof and need huge amounts of exercise. But when it comes to Greyhounds and their crossbreed, the Lurcher, this could not be further from the truth.
Source: Blue Cross
Our worthy winners roll call 2024
Thanks to a loyal band of Sighthound supporters, who swiftly got their nominations past the post, the 2024 winning rescue organisations are:
- Makants Greyhound Rescue NW Founded by Siobhan Hoppley in 2013, the charity rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes retired and injured greyhounds and also helps find homes for Greyhounds from individuals who can no longer provide the love and care they require. Makants said: “A BIG Thank you goes to Burgess Pet Care for their kind donation of two pallets of food and thanks to our supporters for voting for us!”
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- Hector’s Greyhound Rescue Run by a dedicated group of volunteers who devote their time to saving the lives of ex-racing Greyhounds, the organisation carefully profiles each dog to match them with the just the right owner. Hector’s posted: “Hector’s was recently nominated to Burgess Pet Care who very kindly donated to us this incredible pallet of food! We really are very grateful. It will go a long way to helping to feed the many Greyhounds in our care.”
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- Lurcher SOS Lurcher & Sighthound Rescue Started in 2010 by two lifelong Lurcher owners, the organisation’s mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and home abused, abandoned and neglected Lurchers, Greyhounds, Whippets, Salukis, Galgos and all other types of Sighthounds worldwide. Lurcher SOS posted: “We are so thrilled to share that we were the lucky recipients of a mountain of food for our hounds thanks to Burgess Pet Care during the Greyhound and Lurcher Two-Week Takeover. A HUGE thank you from us, and all of our dogs!”
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- Evesham Greyhound & Lurcher Rescue Set up in 1989 by Pip Singleton who started bringing Greyhounds and Lurchers into her home to stop them being destroyed. The EGL rescue is now run by 10 volunteers and has foster homes that look after and raise funds for the 70+ dogs being cared for at any one time. Pip posted: “We would like to say a massive thank you to Burgess Pet Care who donated us a huge amount of their wonderful food. We cannot thank them enough for helping to feed our dogs. Thank you to everyone that nominated us. This will make a huge difference to us as a rescue, allowing us to help more needy dogs.”
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- Greyhound Gap This group was set up to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome Greyhounds and Lurchers who find themselves in a ‘put to sleep’ situation in UK pounds. Greyhound Gap posted: “We have a huge thank you to say to you our supporters and to Burgess Pet Care. Recently you were all kind enough to vote for us in the Greyhound and Lurcher Two-Week Takeover. Today Burgess visited us and donated 110 sacks of food thank to your votes. 110 sacks of food is the equivalent to 2 months’ worth of our main feed so will make such a difference to us here at Greyhound Gap.”
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Do Greyhounds and Lurchers make fantastic pets? It’s a YES from us!
In tandem with the event, we asked people to take part in a Burgess Greyhound & Lurcher Two-Week Takeover survey, which revealed:
- 100% of people surveyed stated that they would recommend Greyhounds or Lurchers as pets!
- 88% of people said that they got their Greyhound or Lurcher from a rescue centre
- Burgess is the most popular brand of dog food for rescued Greyhounds and Lurchers, with 36% of customers choosing it, compared to other well-known brands!
DID YOU KNOW?
Burgess is determined to improve the lives of these gorgeous dogs year-round, which is why for every sack of Burgess Supadog Greyhound & Lurcher food sold, 20p in the form of free food is donated to Greyhound and Lurcher rescues in the UK. Shop now and help feed hungry rescue hounds >>
Could you rehome a leggy lovely?
Last year’s campaign saw two lucky dogs being adopted. For 2024, we’re hoping that more leggy lovelies, such as those featured on our winning rescue centres’ websites and social pages (links above), will find their way into people’s hearts and homes.
Why not take a look at the selection of gorgeous furry faces who are longing for a happy forever home and see if there’s a hopeful hound that could be your perfect companion?
If you’re thinking about adopting a Greyhound or Lurcher, find lots of useful advice here:
- GREYHOUND & LURCHER Q&A These special dogs make fantastic family pets – as long as you understand what makes them tick and can give them all the love, kindness and patience they need to thrive. To help you find out more, we answer some commonly asked questions about Greyhounds and Lurchers.
- 10 THINGS EVERY WOULD-BE GREYHOUND OR LURCHER GUARDIAN SHOULD KNOW Greyhounds have been bred for thousands of years to be sociable, non-aggressive animals who work well with others. Greyhounds are by nature gentle creatures, and they adore human company. Because they’re a mixed breed, no two Lurchers are the same – in looks or temperament. One might have the stamina of a Collie and the gentleness of a Greyhound – another the cuddliness of a Whippet with the swiftness of a Saluki.
- DO YOU HAVE IT IN YOUR HEART TO RESCUE A HOUND? Julia is a failed foster mum and proud. She was due to welcome Pheby to her home for a short ‘fostering holiday’ as part of a dog rescue rehabilitation programme. Julia, however, fell in love with this young Greyhound – rescued from the notorious Canidrome in Macau – and adopted her.
- ROOM ON THE SOFA FOR A LEGGY LOVELY? Once their career on the track comes to an end, many ex-racing Greyhounds sadly find themselves in rescue kennels. Because they are associated with speed, people mistakenly believe they need lots of exercise. In fact, most Greyhounds are actually coach potatoes who prefer to spend much of their time lying on a comfy bed or sofa, often in the strangest positions.
- TAKING ON A RESCUE DOG Many dogs find themselves in rescue centres through no fault of their own and, with time, lots of patience and plenty of kindness, will make a happy addition to your family. Our guide can help.
SOMETHING TASTY FOR EVERY DOG
Every dog deserves a first-class dinner. Burgess Pet Care is a British, family-owned company and all our dog foods are made in our own factory in the heart of Yorkshire. We use premium ingredients, locally sourced where possible to support British farmers, to ensure excellent quality and superior taste to help keep your dog happy and healthy – from puppy, to adult and senior.
We’ve also developed foods to meet the specific nutritional needs of sporting and working dogs, Greyhounds & Lurchers and dogs with sensitivities.
All Burgess dog food is a complete food. This means, whatever variety you choose for your dog, it will contain all the nutrients they need in the correct balance.
Is your dog a Burgess dog? Join the Burgess Pet Club for exclusive offers and rewards.
CARE MORE Find lots of useful advice on caring for dog from Burgess, the pet experts. Training, nutrition, grooming and general care. It’s all here >>
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