The future of a worthy animal charity which offers homes to unwanted racing greyhounds is secure thanks to a significant donation from Maxi Zoo Ireland. In a year that has pushed charities to the brink, Maxi Zoo, Ireland’s largest pet retailer, has given a critical lifeline to Homes for Unwanted Greyhounds (HUG) through its Friendship Connects campaign which was run throughout its 20 stores nationwide. HUG is a national charity that provides loving homes for the gentle giants of the canine world - greyhounds that have been bred for racing and retired young due to injury or underperformance which would otherwise be destroyed. Through Maxi Zoo’s Friendship Connects campaign, over €27,000 was raised for the charity to secure its future which was in jeopardy and allow it to purchase a new vehicle to enable more greyhounds to be rehomed and ensure the continuance of its responsible rehoming and due diligence processes for fostering. Thankfully perception has and is changing in relation to greyhounds which were unfairly thought of as ‘hard work’ rather than being excellent pets for their gentle, affectionate and friendly nature. This is why HUG was established to cater for the speciality breed, particularly those that have been bred for racing, that deserved an equal right to a new and loving home. Maxi Zoo employee Mark Slattery from Crosshaven is himself a greyhound owner and talks about what a wonderful dog they are and how they make a great pet. If you would like to adopt a four legged friend visit: https://homesforunwantedgreyhounds.ie/