Greyhound who refuses to race finds new home in US

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Greyhound who refuses to race finds Stateside homeImage source, SuppliedImage caption, Kiki would apparently rather be friends with bunnies than chase themByNaj ModakNorth East and CumbriaPublished28 June 2026A greyhound who hates running around a track will instead be pursuing the American dream. Rather than having the racing career for which she was bred, Kiki will swap Sunderland for California with her new family - jazz musicians Natalie Angst and Tomas Antonic. Kiki will accompany the couple, who are currently based in Germany, at their shows before snoozing at home on the couch.

Professional greyhound trainer Yvonne Bell, who bred and raised Kiki, said: "She'd play all day and chase a ball, but all she wanted was to be fussed by people. Not all of them have that instinct to chase - she was one of those that didn't really have it. "Kiki was one of a litter of seven, with most going on to race.

The Details

But when she was taken to the track for her trials, she stood out. "You can feel it in the body when you've got hold of them," Bell explained. "She wasn't really fussed… she might jog after it , but she wasn't keen.

"Image source, SuppliedImage caption, Kiki was "just so happy" to see her new ownersAnd so Kiki's path changed direction. Her temperament made it clear she was better suited to life as a pet. Kiki was assessed to determine how she would behave in a domestic setting - proving to be calm and gentle, even around young children and other animals.

"She ticks every box," Bell added. "She's very, very loving. "Image source, SuppliedImage caption, Kiki's temperament made it clear she was better suited to life as a petGreyhound rehoming volunteer Andrew Isaac, from Home Run Hounds, said Kiki's story was not unusual.

What Experts Say

"These dogs are often unraced for two reasons - either injury or they're simply not interested," he said. "Kiki just wasn't interested. "He explained that organisations like his worked to match dogs with the right owners, often sourcing animals from across the country.

"We're a bit like a dating agency for dogs," Isaac joked. "People come to us with what they're looking for, and we try to find the right fit! "Kiki and the American couple were a match and she has been living with them in Germany for one month and will eventually accompany them in California when they return home in about two years' time.

Image source, SuppliedImage caption, Tomas Antonic said Kiki loved leaning into him and showing him her "big brown puppy eyes"Angst, 31, said: "We're both working musicians, and we do travel a lot. And we just knew that whatever dog we got needed to kind of fit in our lifestyle in that way. "The couple reached out to Home Run Hounds in the UK after their search abroad was unsuccessful.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.