A FORMER racing greyhound is desperate for a new home after spending 150 days at a rehoming centre - five times longer than the average stay.

Deputy the greyhound is living at Blue Cross rehoming centre in Thirsk, and has had his hopes dashed after being reserved by potential owners three times, only for the new homes to unexpectedly fall through each time.

Deputy was given up to the charity at three years old after he was retired from racing and his owner no longer wanted to keep him. Despite finding a home just a couple of weeks later, he came back to the centre the following month when his heartbroken owners realised they were not able to care for him after all.

Lyn Henderson, animal behaviour coordinator at Blue Cross in Thirsk said: “Deputy has been nicknamed after the popular children’s cartoon and after his long star with us we are desperate for to find him a sheriff he can show his loyalty to.

"We don’t know why he has been so unlucky but there is a common misunderstanding that greyhounds are high in energy and need lots of exercise, which might be putting people off. But all Deputy wants is a few leisurely walks and a nice cosy bed to snooze in.”

Although Deputy retired from racing at just three years old greyhounds can live up to 12 to 15 years of age so he has lots of life in him yet.

To find out more about Deputy, other pets needing homes at Blue Cross or to make a donation towards their care visit www.bluecross.org.uk, 0300-777-1540 or thirsk@bluecross.org.uk, or on Facebook.