The Irish Retired Greyhound Trust (IRGT) has revealed that more than 1,000 retired dogs were re-homed last year.

The IRGT, with the support of the Irish Greyhound Board, has helped to re-home over 5,600 racing greyhounds since 2008 - with 1,021 re-homed between January and December last year.

The Irish Greyhound Board contributed €106,000 to the Trust's total income of €242,000 in 2018.

The main source of funding continues to come from greyhound racing owners, through a 2% deduction of all winning prize money which is then matched by the Irish Greyhound Board.

Retired Irish greyhounds have been re-homed as pets in Ireland, the UK, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Belgium, Slovenia, France, Sweden, Canada and the US.

Welfare manager with the board, Barry Coleman, said: "Exceeding 1,000 greyhounds being re-homed via IRGT assistance in 2018 is a special milestone.

"Greyhounds make for excellent pets and have an uncanny ability to transition to the family couch with ease.

Ted the greyhound | Image: Irish Retired Greyhound Trust

"They are best known as couch potatoes, needing very little exercise or special diet.

"Many families with an interest in racing will keep their greyhounds into retirement.

"We will continue to promote the image of retired racing greyhounds as pets throughout 2019 and, more importantly, give each of these greyhounds a happy and healthy 'forever' home."

CEO of the Irish Greyhound Board, Gerard Dollard, added: "I wish to congratulate the IRGT and all organisations who receive support from the IRGT, on 1,021 greyhounds being re-homed with its assistance last year.

"Continuing to increase re-homing numbers is a priority for us and shows our strong commitment to a 'whole of life' approach with racing greyhounds."

Some 111 retired Irish greyhounds were re-homed with IRGT assistance in January.

A further 85 greyhounds have been reserved for re-homing by private agencies.