Model icon Twiggy is lending her support to an urgent appeal by a national charity to find loving new families for its homeless greyhounds.

The Retired Greyhound Trust is facing a tough year after homing figures for 2010 were more than 500 down on last year.

The charity has nearly 1,000 dogs in kennels across the country waiting for new homes and many more who have recently retired and are waiting for a space in their kennels. Last year the charity homed 4,200 greyhounds.

Twiggy said: “I am devastated to hear about the Retired Greyhound Trust's struggle with homing figures. I would urge anyone who is considering a dog to think greyhounds.

“The sooner the charity can find good homes for those in kennels then the sooner they can free up space for the many more who are on the waiting list.”

Twiggy added: “Greyhounds make fantastic pets. They undergo a transformation when they leave the track. They turn from speed machines to docile couch potatoes who love to loll around and get fussed. All they want is a loving family or owner to look after them. I hope there are families out there who can help.”

Ivor Stocker, from the Retired Greyhound Trust, said: “The homing figures for 2010 are really disappointing for our hard working volunteers and bad news for our greyhounds.

“Greyhounds have very individual personalities and our volunteers, who are based in our 72 kennels across the country, have years of experience homing them. They can match the right dog to the right individual or family to ensure everyone lives happily ever after.”

To find out more about adopting a retired greyhound, contact the Retired Greyhound Trust, tel: 0844 826 8424 or log on to www.retiredgreyhounds.co.uk

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