> At a Glance
> – Bobby the greyhound was adopted on Dec. 30 after 1,064 days at Woodside Animal Welfare Trust
> – The ex-racing dog arrived at the U.K. shelter in February 2023
> – New owner Peter Hart spotted Bobby online and “knew” he wanted to adopt him
> – Why it matters: A 3-year shelter stay ends, spotlighting long waits faced by larger rescue dogs
A greyhound who spent nearly three years in kennels has finally trotted off to his forever home, capping a wait that stretched 1,064 days.
The Long Wait Ends
Bobby arrived at Woodside Animal Welfare Trust in February 2023 after his racing career ended. Despite his gentle nature, potential adopters repeatedly passed him by.
Staff at the Plymouth-based charity celebrated the Dec. 30 adoption in a Facebook post:
> “What an end to the year! After more than 1,000 days of searching, greyhound Bobby finally left for his forever home this afternoon.”
Instant Connection
Peter Hart first saw Bobby’s photo on the shelter’s website and felt an immediate pull.
> “As soon as I saw his picture, I knew I wanted to give Bobby a home,” Hart said.
When Hart learned Bobby had waited three years, he was stunned:
> “I couldn’t believe it-that’s a long time for a dog to be in kennels.”
The pair bonded quickly during Hart’s visit, and shelter staff described the parting as “an emotional day at the sanctuary.”
Life After the Kennel
Hart, who previously owned a German shepherd, shared an update in the Facebook comments:
- Bobby is “starting to get used to his new home”
- He no longer guards his toys, simplifying daily routines
- The duo enjoys two one-hour walks each day
Debbie Haynes, senior manager at Woodside, praised Hart’s experience:
> “Peter seems like a really lovely gentleman, and he’s had many rescue dogs before, so we are over the moon.”
Key Takeaways
- 1,064-day shelter stay underscores challenges for larger, ex-racing dogs
- Social media visibility proved crucial-Hart spotted Bobby online
- Bobby’s story highlights how a single adoption can cap years of patient care
The charity closed their post with a simple message to the newly adopted greyhound: “We are so pleased you’ve finally found the loving home you deserve.”
