Grey hounds make pedigree friends

Max - Animal Rescue Oldham Dog

A UNIQUE scheme has been launched to find loving homes for an animal sanctuary’s older residents.

Animal Rescue Oldham — formerly Pike View Animal Rescue — has set up “Older Dogs for Older People” to match pension-age pooches with older, two-legged friends.

The sanctuary’s Rod Smith and committee members and volunteers, Ray and Mandy Hayes, are busily trying to find homes for their more mature mutts.

“We’ve found from experience that older people are loathe to take on a younger dog,” said Ray.

“The idea is to try to place older dogs with older people - but that doesn’t mean finding a home for older dogs is restricted to older people.

“We would normally charge a fee for a dog, but in the case of older dogs, we are happy to waive that to get them a loving home.”

First port of call for anyone interested in taking on an older dog on is the charity’s shop at 66 Yorkshire Street, Oldham (which moves to 120 Yorkshire Street this week).

“We have photographs in the shop and can chat to people about the dogs,” said Rod.

Currently looking for a home are Kojo (14), Max (12), Jodie (12), Simba (11), Charlie (10) and Spencer (10).

Details from the shop or by calling 0161-626 2230 or 07999-060 646.