Actress and model Jo-Emma Larvin today unveiled her new love: retired greyhounds.
The dog mad Yorkshire beauty has selected the Retired Greyhound Trust as her charity for 2010 and is lending her support to raise the profile of the charity.
Jo-Emma launched her support for the charity with a series of stunning photographs with retired greyhounds Penny, Baby and Blue.
Jo-Emma, whose Golden Retriever Sonny helped her through a heart-breaking split from ex-boyfriend Joe Calzaghe, said she wanted to share the joys of owning a dog with everyone.
She said: "Dogs are the most amazing companions. They are always there for you - through the good times and the bad. They are fun, loving and they don't judge you. I take Sonny everywhere with me - to friends, meetings and jobs, everywhere. The thought of hundreds of dogs across the country not having loving homes like Sonny has really inspired me to get involved with the Retired Greyhound Trust.
"I will be working closely with the Trust to raise awareness of the wonderful greyhounds who need homes, including going into schools and talking to children about how to look after pet dogs.
"If anyone is considering a pet dog then I would urge them to get in touch with their local branch of the Retired Greyhound Trust. They can go along to meet some of the dogs who need homes and take them for walks. All of the greyhounds have such different personalities, the Trust volunteers will help to find one to match a family or particular circumstances," she added.
The Trust has 72 branches across the country all dedicated to finding homes for dogs once they retire from the track.
Greyhounds find homes with all sorts of different people, from elderly people who are alone to young families. Contrary to popular belief, many greyhounds can also get on extremely well with cats and many can be found sharing homes with cats and other pets.
Most greyhounds are aged around three or four when they retire. This means that after their racing careers, thousands of greyhounds are looking for loving homes to spend the next ten years.
If you can't adopt a greyhound then you could help by volunteering to take part in fundraising activity, leaving a legacy for the Retired Greyhound Trust Charity No. 269668 or sponsor a greyhound in kennels for as little as little as £5 a month.