We take a look at the work of Hector's Greyhound Rescue

The rescue centre and registered charity saves and rehomes greyhounds and other sight hounds, many of which have been abandoned.

Hayley Bradley, the founder of the rescue centre, is the driving force behind looking after these dogs.

After taking in a greyhound, Hector, Hayley's love of taking care of dogs has expanded into this volunteer-led rescue centre which has bases in Ellesmere, Shrewsbury and Lancashire.

But this year has seen a particular rise in the abandonment of dogs, with Hayley adding that the lead up to Christmas was "horrific".

"We've seen a lot of older dogs come into the rescue," she said.

"Dogs aged nine and above have been brought in, and then a few days later you find out that person has gone and got a puppy. It's just heart-wrenching."

One dog who deserves a lot of love is Spirit, who was taken into the rescue just a week before Christmas.

Spirit, who was born deaf, was found abandoned on the side of the road on the Shropshire/Cheshire border.

After spending the week in a county council dog pound, Spirit was picked up by Hayley and her volunteers to be taken to the shelter.

Although having had a tough start, Spirit is the most gentle dog and is more than happy to be fussed over.

"He's been dealt a double blow – he's deaf, and he's been abandoned because of that and found himself in a vulnerable place," said Hayley.

"Spirit will now go for a health check and then go up for rehoming. He's such a lovely dog, he's so gentle and can't be more than one year old.

"We'll be looking for someone who's got experience and can understand a deaf dog and his needs."

Unfortunately, Hayley says that Oswestry is a particularly bad area when it comes to abandoning dogs.

"It is a massive thing in Oswestry – it's a very cruel area," she said.

"When hare course season finishes, a lot of saluki dogs are abandoned. A lot of them are from night time poaching who just get left behind. It's quite an issue.

"Not long ago we picked up a stray who was emaciated. The dogs are kept in horrible conditions."

Although Hector's Greyhound Rescue take in a lot of strays, they also rehome the majority of dogs that come in.

One success story that hit the headlines was Miles the miracle dog, who was abandoned on Christmas Eve.

Hector's volunteers searched for the dog, who had been hit by a police car responding to emergency call, for three days, Miles was found and after public donations helped his recovery, he was rehomed and is now loving life in his new home.

Hayley said: "It was a happy ending for Miles and we're hoping for the same for Spirit."

There are no two weeks the same, said Hayley, when it comes to rehoming a dog. Interest peaks throughout the year, but she says increases after fundraising events that the centre hold.

"Rehoming does stop and start," she said.

"These types of dogs are a required taste – they're not fashion statements like other dogs.

"They get a bit of a reputation as just racing dogs, where as in fact they are absolute couch potatoes. They make great family pets too, and they go either end of the scale – lurchers are great for long walks, or if you want a lazy dog we'd recommend a greyhound."

Hector's have attended many fundraisers this year - from their annual dog show in Ellesmere to the recent Santa Paws Grotto in Morda, and Hayley says they are always well received.

"Our fundraisers have been very successful this year.

"We've have a few store collections, and we've got exciting events coming up next year. We rely on public donations entirely so these events are so important to us.

"We're completely run by volunteers and all the money we raise goes on vets bills, food, treats and just generally keeping the dog safe.

"It's not cheap – one sack of dog food lasts one dog for a month, and we have an average of 30 dogs in the centre.

"We have a Paypal account, so if anyone could donate 50p a week, which is less than a packet of crisps, it would make a massive difference."

Hayley added that after Christmas, they'll also notice a rise in the number of dogs coming in.

"We get dogs brought in when they puppy is too mischievous or too hard work.

"All we ask is that people understand the responsibility of having a dog. If you take on a dog, you have to understand it's for life. You have to make a commitment to that dog and the rest of its life.

"We understand the bills aren't cheap, so think about all avenues before taking on a dog."

If you'd like to find out more about Hector's Greyhound Rescue, or you'd like to donate to the charity, visit www.hectorsgreyhoundrescue.org