VITAL funds have been raised for unwanted and abused greyhounds after a charity sponsored walk.

Dogs and volunteers from Greyhound Rescue and Co-ordinated Emergencies (GRACE), organised the walk at Preston Park in Eaglescliffe, following an increase in the number of dogs in need of foster care or permanent homes.

Set up in 2011, GRACE rescues, re-habilitates and rehomes unwanted and abused greyhounds, lurchers and other sighthounds.

Tracy Cook, who founded the charity, said: “We help as many dogs as we can by giving them a foster home where they can recover, receive veterinary treatment and be cared for and loved, often for the first time in their lives. Our dogs are neutered, vaccinated and micro-chipped before we look to find them a loving forever home.

“As we are a small charity, which is run entirely by volunteers, we rely on the kindness and compassion of dog lovers to support our fundraising and re-homing campaigns. All the money we raise goes directly towards the dogs’ welfare.

"Despite rising running costs, we have a good success rate in finding permanent forever homes for many of the greyhounds in our care. However, we still need more foster homes to help the dogs make the transition from racing kennels to living in a domestic environment.

“The role of the foster family is to love and look after a greyhound in the same way as they would their own dogs. We offer full support and advice, as well as pay for the cost of food and veterinary care.”

To find out more and to get to know the hounds, GRACE holds monthly meet and greet days at Stockton Garden Centre, Yarm Road, Stockton, on the second Sunday of every month, from 10am until 4pm.