The Retired Greyhound Trust is celebrating homing its 50,000th dog. in Darlington.
The Hodgson family - Dad Mike, Mum Joanna, six-year-old Poppy and cat Patrick - welcomed their first dog Sooty from the Hollin Hall branch of the Retired Greyhound Trust in Durham.
Mike Hodgson said: "We have spent years contemplating getting a dog. We researched lots of different breeds to try to find one that fits with our family and our lifestyle. We kept coming back to retired greyhounds.
"They get on well with children and we have a six-year-old daughter. They don't need huge amounts of exercise, so fit in with us having to work full-time and they get on well with cats and we have a cat. Everything was leading us to greyhounds and so we approached the local Retired Greyhound Trust branch.
"As well as greyhounds being a perfect breed for us as a family, it is great to be able to support the charity and offer a loving home to a dog that didn't have one," he added.
Alison Waggott from the Hollin Hall Durham Retired Greyhound Trust said she was delighted that the 50,000th dog had come from her branch.
"Everyone associated with the branch works so hard, it is great for them to get this recognition. The Hodgsons are the perfect family to own a retired greyhound and we were really happy they could offer Sooty a home.
"The 50,000th dog is a great landmark for our charity, but we must remember that this is just one greyhound and one family. We still have many more greyhounds who need loving homes like the Hodgsons and we would appeal to anyone who is considering a pet dog to get in touch."
Greyhounds find homes with all sorts of different people, from elderly couples or elderly people who are alone to young families. Contrary to popular belief, most greyhounds also get on extremely well with cats and many can be found sharing homes with cats and other dogs.
Most greyhounds are aged around three or four when they retire. This means that after their racing careers, greyhounds have around 10 good years left in them and need to find homes to enjoy a happy life.
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 greyhounds can also be sponsored for as little as little as £5 a month.