Passionate about good companions
BARBARA Townsend began re-homing greyhounds in 2003 after her father, a former greyhound racer, fell ill, and what started as a hobby, has now become a major part of her life.
As her father's dogs began to retire from the track, she set about finding them loving families and soon had a reputation for being a thorough and dedicated re-homer.
The not-for-profit centre, in School Road, grew from there and Barbara now finds homes for around 100 greyhounds every year as a branch of the Retired Greyhound Trust.
But just last month, Barbara was on the verge of giving up her passion in the face of an overwhelming rise in costs.
She said: "I know there are a lot of people struggling at the tracks.
The big problem for us is getting rid of the dog waste, which costs us around 100 a month. It's very expensive and the costs just keep adding up.
"The price of food has doubled, a bag of dog biscuits now costs 8 and we use one every two days. The rising price of diesel also has an impact because we have to transport the dogs."
Having never borrowed money before, Barbara was last year forced to take out a personal loan to buy a van for moving the greyhounds when new DEFRA rules relating to the transportation of dogs were introduced.
A re-homing drive was featured in the Lynn News's sister paper, the Fenland Citizen, before Christmas and a record-breaking 12 dogs were re-homed, but, ironically, December became one of Barbara's darkest months.
She explained: "We had run out of money and only had enough dog food for another week. I was on the verge of giving it all up. But then we had some food donations, some people offered to help walk the dogs and we had so many phone calls from people offering their support, so I carried on.
"In December we did really well, re-homing all the dogs bar one. But for everyone that goes, there's another one which needs a home. We can go for months and months without re-homing one."
loving homes
When she's not caring for her father, Barbara spends all her time with the dogs, caring for them and making sure they find loving homes. She always visits prospective homes to make sure the greyhounds are going to a suitable place and her involvement continues even once they have left her.
"I always tell new owners my phone is on 24-hours a day in case there are any problems. We always take the dog back if it's not working out with their new owner, while a lot of the big rescue centres don't want to know.
"Sometimes people take a dog home and it doesn't work out, so we try again until we get it right. You never know what a dog's really like until you get it into the new house. I have even put my own dog into kennels before so I could take a dog back," Barbara said.
The greyhounds are incredibly laid-back and gentle, making them the perfect pets for children, the elderly and those with other animals, including cats. Barbara has also re-homed a number of dogs with children who have special needs and has seen their relationships blossom.
She said: "They are really great companions. Once you have bonded, they never leave your side. They also adapt very quickly to new surroundings and routines."
Every day, whatever the weather, the dogs need walking, cleaning out and feeding. Money is running low once again and the future is still uncertain. So why doesn't Barbara just call it a day and put her feet up?
She said: "I do it all for the love of the dogs. The dogs don't ask to be here, people put them here, so if I can help out I will. Once you get into dogs you can't get out of it – it gets in to your blood."
Call Barbara on 01945 430311 / 07717 217347 or email oaktreekennels@vodafone.net if you would like to make a donation and help keep the centre going.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for King's Lynn
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: East
