On Sunday evening, Andrew Rosindell M.P. joined bookmakers, animal welfare activists, and more than 350 friends of the Retired Greyhound Trust (RGT) to celebrate 40 years of the RGT’s work to help rehome retired racing greyhounds.
The celebration was held at the Grand Connaught Rooms in Covent Garden, London, and guests including William Hill, BetFair, and the ex-Chief Executive of the Dogs’ Trust, Clarissa Baldwin C.B.E., best known for coining the phrase “A dog is for life, not just for Christmas”.
Andrew Rosindell M.P. is a Vice-President of the Retired Greyhound Trust and is also Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Greyhounds.
The RGT works to promote the rehoming of retired greyhounds through publicity campaigns and by working with canine charities to identify volunteer owners find good homes for greyhounds. In its 40 year existence, it has rehomed over 70,000 dogs, and currently manages to rehome roughly 4000 out of the 8000 greyhounds that retire each year. This year’s RGT Ruby Ball was organised not only to celebrate their 40 years’ good works, but also to raise money to expand their operation abroad, particularly into France and the Czech Republic. It is estimated that the dinner alone brought in £17,000.
Andrew is a regular visitor to the Romford Greyhound Stadium and works closely with the greyhound racing sport to ensure that the welfare of the greyhounds is paramount.
Following the event, Andrew said:
“As a long standing support of the welfare of greyhounds, it is wonderful to attend an event like the RGT’s Ruby Anniversary Ball. I am a dog owner myself and I would dread the thought of my dog, “Buster” not having a home to go to. The work of the RGT, rehoming so many greyhounds, is fantastic, and I hope they continue to go from strength to strength. It is great to see them reaching 40 years – here’s to another 40!”
For more information about the RGT, please visit their website or Twitter feed.