Nominations at the ready – the Greyhound & Lurcher 2 Week Takeover is back for 2026!

Do you know a Greyhound or Lurcher rescue that would benefit from a huge food donation? Nominate them this February, and they could receive a share of an amazing £24,000 worth of food donations. During the cost-of-living crisis, small animal rescue charities need more support than ever before, so your nomination really counts!

Launched in 2019, the Greyhound & Lurcher 2 Week Takeover – which this year runs from Monday 2 – Sunday 15 February 2026 – raises awareness of rescued Greyhounds and Lurchers needing homes, and highlights the incredible work of the organisations that rescue, rehabilitate and rehome these wonderful dogs.

Ever-increasing costs mean that many rescues are struggling

In today’s tough financial climate, many animal rescue charities are struggling with ever-increasing costs. But despite the challenges, these dedicated organisations, and their fabulous staff and volunteers, remain committed to helping the dogs in their care.

Peter Lancaster, Head of Marketing at Burgess Pet Care, says: “So many Greyhounds and Lurchers have been dealt a real disadvantage in life. We continue to see how more support is required due to the pressures on charitable organisations doing their absolute best to care for and protect them. Their commitment is unwavering, but in testing times, funds are hard to come by. We’re keen to do our utmost to help give these loveable dogs a second chance. And, as a pet food manufacturer, donating food is a practical way we can help.”

Who’s still waiting for their happy ever after?

The 2026 campaign, which will run across Burgess Pet Care’s social media channels on Facebook and Instagram, will feature dogs who are still hoping for a loving new forever home. Perhaps you have room on your sofa for a leggy lovely?

• DID YOU KNOW? Because Greyhounds are associated with speed, people mistakenly believe they need lots of exercise. In fact, as long as they get a couple of short walks a day, most Greyhounds prefer to spend much of their time lying on a comfy bed or sofa. Greyhounds are also renowned for being affectionate – there’s even a thing called the ‘Greyhound full body lean’, which is just one of the ways these long-legged canines show that they love you.
• DID YOU KNOW? The term 'Sighthound' is used to categorise the different breeds of dog that have exceptional speed and hunt predominantly by their sight. There are roughly 28 different sighthound breeds, and a few extra crossbreeds. These include Greyhounds, Whippets, Salukis, Italian Greyhounds and Lurchers. A Lurcher is a term given to a dog that is a cross between any pedigree sighthound breed and a non-sighthound breed.Source: Cheshire Sighthound Rescue
• DID YOU KNOW? Because they’re a mixed breed, no two Lurchers are the same – in looks or temperament. One might have the stamina of a Collie and the gentleness of a Greyhound – another the cuddliness of a Whippet with the swiftness of a Saluki.

How to nominate your favourite rescue centre

A highlight of the event is the annual call for nominations of Greyhound & Lurcher rescue organisations to receive a share of the £24,000 worth of Burgess Supadog Greyhound & Lurcher food donation.

This carefully crafted recipe, developed by vets to support the specific nutritional requirements of Greyhounds and Lurchers, includes glucosamine to help stiff joints and overworked legs, Omega 3, which is beneficial in helping temperature regulation and for promoting a glossy coat and healthy skin, along with prebiotics to help digestive health. 

To make sure a Greyhound & Lurcher rescue charity close to your heart is in with a chance of winning bags of much-needed food, personally delivered by members of the Burgess team, head over to the dedicated Greyhound & Lurcher 2 Week Takeover page. Nominations will open on Monday, 2 February 2026.

Food donations make a real difference

• Kay FitzGerald-Gorham of Lurcher Link, one of the annual campaign’s winning rescue centres, says: “Because of the generous donation of Greyhound & Lurcher food we received from Burgess, we've been able to allocate more of our funds to saving dogs who might otherwise have been put to sleep without specialist vet treatment and give them a chance of a new home. We’re so grateful for this campaign and Burgess’s support.”
• Lisa Cartwright, founder of Greyhound Gap, which won more than 100 bags of Supadog Greyhound & Lurcher food in 2024, says: “Besides helping us financially when times are so tough, to know we are so well supported and well thought of was so nice to hear. We work so hard for the dogs, and our staff team put in many hours beyond their paid time. To know it was seen and appreciated was fabulous.”
• Another 2024 winner, Evesham Greyhound & Lurcher Rescue’s founder, Pip Singleton, adds: “Burgess Pet Care have saved so many dogs here, by simply donating food and helping us to feed them during a particularly hard year. The reallocation of funds meant we were able to provide more veterinary care to the dogs depending on us at the rescue. We are so grateful to Burgess Pet Care and the Greyhound & Lurcher Takeover campaign, who make such a positive impact to the rescues that they donate to, and all the dogs living there.”

And, while the annual Greyhound & Lurcher 2 Week Takeover is putting rescued hounds and rescue centres in the spotlight this February, support for these worthy organisations and the dogs they care for continues throughout the year. For every sack of Supadog Greyhound & Lurcher food sold, a 20p donation in the form of free food is made to UK rescue centres.

Shop now and help feed hungry rescue hounds >>

Could you rehome a rescued Greyhound or Lurcher?

For 2026, we’re hoping that more of the UK’s rescued Greyhounds & Lurchers will find their way into people’s hearts and homes.

During the 2026 Greyhound & Lurcher 2 Week Takeover campaign, we’ll be featuring dogs that are waiting to be adopted and are currently being cared for by Woodgreen, Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare, RSPCA and Blue Cross. Could one of these hopeful hounds be your perfect canine companion? Check out our rescue stories for inspiration...

RESCUE STORY – SPECIALIST SURGERY GAVE LURKCHER TJ NEWTON A NEW LIFE

“TJ Newton, a gorgeous young black and fawn Saluki X, came to Lurcher Link after he was picked up as a stray with a very badly broken leg that needed specialist surgery to fix it. Pins, plates, and a fixator were used in the attempt to save this young dog’s leg. Fortunately, it worked, and he is now fully healed after several weeks of R&R in a foster home, and he's now doing zoomies on all four legs in his new home. However, as only three of his legs can be insured, Lurcher Link has agreed to pay for any further treatment or medication required for the damaged leg for the rest of his life. TJN's treatment has cost Lurcher Link over £4,000 in vets' fees, but everyone who's met him thinks it's money well spent. With the help from the generous donation of food from Burgess, it's meant we've been able to allocate funds to his care, otherwise he could have been PTS.”

RESCUE STORY – GREYHOUND EADA HAS A HEART AS BIG AS A MOUNTAIN

“As working dogs, they spend all their lives living in a kennel, with little to no freedom. They have very little human interaction or affection, no toys to play with and are not given pet names. So, when we adopted Eada, we had to do all the things that you would do with a puppy, house training, and answering to a new name. Eada is the most beautiful dog that has a heart as big as a mountain. Greyhounds are such laid-back animals, and Eada is no exception. She loves her bed, but above all, she loves lying with her head on your lap being stroked. If you stop, you will receive a wet nose to the arm or cheek to remind you of your duty. She is patient with my young grandson, attentive when you talk to her and loves running around the garden at frightening speed!”

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THESE LOVING, LOYAL, LONG-LEGGED DOGS:

• What’s the difference between a Greyhound and a Lurcher? Do they make good pets? Do they need lots of exercise? How affectionate are they? What training will be required? Find out the answers in our Q&A >>
• 10 things every would-be Greyhound or Lurcher guardian should know >>

SOMETHING TASTY FOR EVERY DOG – PREMIUM DOG FOOD WITHOUT THE PREMIUM PRICE!

Every dog deserves a first-class dinner from puppy to adult and senior. Burgess Pet Care is a British, family-owned company, and all our dog foods are made at our own factory in the heart of Yorkshire, using only ingredients that meet our stringent specifications – locally sourced wherever possible to support British farmers.

We’ve also developed foods to meet the specific nutritional needs of sporting and working dogs, Greyhounds and Lurchers and dogs with sensitivities.

All Burgess dog food is a complete food. This means, whatever variety you choose for your dog, it will contain all the nutrients they need in the correct balance.

For helpful feeding advice, call our expert team on 0800 413 969. They’re available 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday. Alternatively, use our online form to get in touch.

12 facts you may not know about Burgess Pet Care >>

Is your dog a Burgess dog? Join the Burgess Pet Club for exclusive offers, competitions and expert advice from our in-house vet, Dr Suzanne Moyes.

CARE MORE Find lots of useful advice on caring for dog from Burgess, the pet experts. Training, nutrition, grooming and general care. It's all here >>

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