I AM writing in response to “Greyhounds grateful for store’s cash gift” (SA, February 2).

Congratulations to all concerned. It is heartwarming that the community awareness caused by Pets at Home has resulted in a sizable donation for Greyhound and Lurcher Welfare and Rescue in Swindon.

Greyhound racing is cruel and inhumane. The greyhounds are short-term investments, valued only as long as they generate a profit for their owners. While racing greyhounds suffer and die from injuries such as broken limbs, broken necks, paralysis and cardiac arrest. Their post-racing fate falls to volunteer adoption groups such as Greyhound and Lurcher Welfare and Rescue that work tirelessly to adopt retired greyhounds into loving homes. Despite that according to the RSPCA, United Kingdom greyhounds that are injured or are not fast enough disappear at the rate of 20 per day.

Dogs play an important role in our lives and deserve to be protected from industries that cause them harm.

I have adopted beloved ex-racing greyhounds since 1997 and I am a board member of GREY2K USA, a national non-profit organisation that works to end the cruelty of dog racing. For more information please visit www.grey2kusa.org.

CARYN WOOD Board of Directors Grey2K USA