Now, during national Adopt-a-Greyhound month, she’s urging others to open their hearts, and homes, to the beautiful breed.

‘’As a teenager living in Dapto, I often saw greyhounds being walked and thought what an elegant dog they were,’’ she said.

‘’After seeing TV segments on animal welfare, we wanted to get a dog that really needed a loving home and decided to contact Greyhound Rescue.’’

Ms Hurley and daughter Vanessa adopted Sophie from the Sydney charity in 2013; and Rusty two years later. ‘’During our times of settling these dogs into our home we had constant support and friendship with everyone from Greyhound Rescue,’’ she said.

The charity has over 50 dogs needing adoption or foster care. Inquire at www.greyhoundrescue.com.au

Greyhound Rescue founder Janet Flann said the charity had declared April to be Adopt-a-Greyhound month, due to the high number of rescue animals in need.

Adoption costs were reduced for the month, while fostering remained free.

‘’How long a hound stays with foster carers depends on the number of adoption applications we get, but foster carers should be prepared to accommodate a dog for at least six months,’’ she said.

Mrs Flann said greyhounds were unlike many other dog breeds; they shed very little hair, had no ‘’doggie smell’’ and needed just a 20-minute walk each day.

Basic training was also needed for the rescue greyhounds, many of whom had never been a pet before.

Mrs Hurley said it had taken a little time and patience for Sophie to feel at home, but it had been completely worthwhile.

‘’Here was a two-year-old dog which had been dumped in Hawkesbury pound and suddenly she was in a house with strangers trying to pat her,’’ she said.

‘’All up, it probably took her six months to a year to really be herself and enjoy being a pet.’’

When in March 2015, Greyhound Rescue put an emergency call-out for a foster carer for seven-year-old Rusty Ms Hurley was quick to put her hand up.

‘’He gently befriended Sophie, so much so we have adopted him. They are a bonded pair now. We love them very much.’’