About Us

Great Hounds In Need (GHIN) is a dedicated rescue and rehoming charity with a passionate commitment to improving the lives of greyhounds and other sighthounds.

 Our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome these magnificent dogs, providing them with the second chance they deserve after their careers on the race tracks or other challenging circumstances.

 Our work is fuelled by a profound love for these animals and a firm belief that every greyhound deserves a loving and caring forever home.

 We started off first in the Czech Republic in 2009 by Lucie Poucova and then in Ireland in 2012 as the need for our own Irish base became more apparent for various reasons. It also enabled us to fundraise and apply for grants in Ireland. Lucie was the chair for both organisations until 2018 when she retired from the scene. This explains why we share the website with Chrti v Nouzi.

 We used a mixture of foster homes and boarding kennels in the early years but in 2015 we found a place to lease for ten years with an option to buy when the lease term is up. We normally have around 28 to 30 sighthounds in our kennels at any time and a waiting list so long from some owners who want to find homes for their greys, dog pounds that constantly are full of lurchers, which are usually strays and then from veterinary clinics that have been asked to  put perfectly healthy greyhounds to sleep just because they are no longer monetarily viable. It is an industry afterall. These may have serious injuries or perhaps no interest in chasing if they are younger ones, or not fast enough or just too old for racing. We take them all if we have the space.

 We have a small team of volunteers currently chaired by Katrina, who is a practicing veterinarian, Amanda who teaches kids and has looked after fundraising and auctions for us, Paul who looks after the kennels and dogs 99% of the time and newly Judith who works in a supermarket and now also gives time to the kennels and welfare of the dogs.

We have worked, and still mostly do, with several reputable organisations in Europe, specifically Czech Republic, Slovenia, Germany, Austria, Sweden and Italy and occasionally in the UK.

 Since 2022 We have collaborated with a Lycée in France and host some students as part of their Erasmus program and college curriculum.

 We welcome volunteers at all times and can provide accommodation. Every year we have fabulous volunteers come and spend several weeks during the year with us, coming mostly from Slovenia and the Czech Republic though each year we expand our horizons just a bit. If you would like to volunteer for us do get in contact and we can discuss what suits you best.

 Altering The Angle

“Every year, thousands of greyhounds are slaughtered in Ireland. No longer required, they are dumped, abused, abandoned or killed. Considered a commodity, a cash crop, livestock and not a living being, greyhounds are the among the most abused of all breeds of dogs. They are born to be used by humans, many never knowing any kindness, comfort or love.”

 We wrote the above back in 2012 when first we started out, and while much has changed in perceptions within the industry, there is still much of the above that is true even today.

 The natural lifespan of a greyhound is normally around 12 to 14 years with some living as long as 17 years. However in Ireland and other countries where they are part of the industry, this average is 3-4 years. Many don’t even get to start a racing career due to no interest in chasing or their trial is too slow to be in with a chance or even from accidents during play where a bone will break and end a career before it even starts.

 More and more, people locally and nationally as well as internationally are becoming aware of what fantastic pets these magnificent elegant creatures, who were once held in such high esteem that only the rulers and royalty were allowed own, can make, although we still have a long long way to go to fully Alter the Angle.

 Greyhounds make wonderful pets! They are calm, loyal and easy to manage and they will love you unconditionally, when shown the kindness and love they deserve. For some it may take a while longer to adapt though they are well on that journey before they leave our door for yours.

 Open your heart and your mind and make the difference to these tortured dogs.

 Please adopt a greyhound.