Help A Hound
SVGR are very lucky to have the support of a dedicated band of local people, affectionately known as the 'manic street collectors'. These individuals give their spare time to raising funds for worthy causes and SVGR is fortunate to be one of these causes. These ladies and gents work tirelessly to raise funds to help mend our hounds, this ranges from broken limbs to the basic neutering and vaccination each hound needs before re-homing. They happily pay the veterinary bills for our hounds and because of this we can confidently assure that,
No healthy hound is ever destroyed at SVGR
This group of hardworking, charitable ladies call themselves, 'Raffles'-Aid To Animals In Distress.
Raffles was founded in 2006 by Gwyneth Anthony. Gwyneth and her helpers had spent many years fundraising for large greyhound organisations with their street collections, bric-a-brac and scrumptious cake sales. Living near the Swansea track Gwyneth became aware of how many greyhounds desperately needed homes and decided to do something to help. Raffles isn't confined to helping only greyhounds but where possible aims to help all animals in distress locally, by offering financial support to small groups or individuals who run their own rescue.
Raffles also helps the Swansea Track greyhounds on a practical level. Every few months our group goes to the track, baths the dogs (40+) and treats them for fleas. There is always a good atmosphere but it is hard work and we always welcome extra help, if only to walk the dogs to dry them off.
Gwyneth asked me to join the group as I also had a history of working in Greyhound Rescue and promised that if I could find kennels Raffles would pay for food, medical expenses and vets fees. I couldn't resist the offer and set about converting some stables adjoining my home into kennels to keep down our overheads. This also gave me the advantage of caring for and assessing the dogs myself so that I can try and match them to the right permanent home or foster home. This is how Swiss Valley Greyhounds came about.
Raffles continues to pay our expenses and SVGR has been a substantial drain on their funds, particularly in June, when four dogs broke their legs at the track. SVGR took all four dogs in immediately but unfortunately a two year old bitch, known as Pirate didn't survive. Our vet bill for that month alone exceeded £1,000 just for the operations without the day -to-day supplies. We have been able to pay back some of the money by forwarding donations for dogs homed, back to Raffles. There are regular street collections where you can donate to our cause and meet some of our unsung heroines and even 'hug a hound' as several of our re-homed hounds are huge supporters. If you feel you would like to become a 'manic street collector', or to aid 'Raffles' in their work, or just want to know when and where our next street collections are taking place, or have some good quality bric-a-brac that you would like to donate please contact Gwyneth on 01792 419470.
Help us to 'help a hound' and to never have to refuse any hound in need, by joining us today, offers of all and any help or donations no matter how small are gratefully received.
Some ideas of items we can use to aid our hounds are,
- Items to sell on the stands as described above
- Good bric-a-brac
- Cakes, check dates of future cake sales.
- Volunteers to collect in the street, (doesn't have to be all day, can you spare an hour?).
- Dog food, dry or tinned.
- Dog treats, chews, biscuits etc.
- Bedding, blankets, sheets, towels.
- Any spare wormers or de-flea treatments you have in the cupboard.