Sighthound Spotlight Day
30th April
Official Hashtag #SighthoundSpotlightDay
What is Sighthound Spotlight Day?
Do you love a sighthound? You’re in the right place.
Sighthound Spotlight Day is a worldwide celebration of greyhounds, whippets, lurchers, salukis, galgos, longdogs and more.
Created by me, Clare Ware of Insight Hounds, it’s a day to shine a light on their history, unique traits, and the joy they bring us, while raising awareness of the many still waiting for homes.
Every year, thousands of sighthounds need adoption. Some finish racing or hunting, others arrive at rescues for other reasons.
This day is here to:
• Show just how fabulous life with a sighthound can be
• Bust some of the myths that follow them around
• Celebrate the stories, rescues, volunteers, businesses, and people who love and support them.
Why I Created It
On 30 April I adopted my first greyhound, a date that changed the course of my life.
Since then I’ve shared life with sighthounds and supported many more through volunteering and Insight Hounds. I’ve had to bust the same myths and answer the same questions time and again, as I’m sure many of you have too. People often say they must need hours of exercise, that they aren’t smart or can’t be trained, that wearing a muzzle must mean they are dangerous, or that they don’t really need a coat.
I wanted to create a day that challenges those myths and gives every hound their chance to shine. Above all, it’s about celebrating sighthounds for who they are and getting them into the spotlight where they belong.
What Sighthound Spotlight Day Stands For SIGHT
S – Sighthound Spotlight Day
30 April, the annual day to shine a light on sighthounds.
I – Insight
Growing understanding and busting myths through education, training and breed knowledge.
G – Great Sighthound Stories
Celebrating the journeys and stories told by sighthound people – those who know and love them best. Talk to any sighthound business and you’ll usually find a very special hound who inspired it.
H – Homing and Adoption
Raising awareness of the thousands who need homes. From breed-specific rescues to all-breed centres, there is almost always a sighthound waiting. This is also a chance to celebrate the incredible volunteers who dedicate their time to these wonderful dogs.
T – Together
The more time I spend in the sighthound community, the more I know it’s a very special place full of brilliant people. Together, with this community and the wider dog-loving world, we can make a difference.
How to Take Part
It’s simple to join in on 30 April:
• Share a photo or story using #SighthoundSpotlightDay
• Post a “Sighthound Myths Busted” graphic or short video
• Rehoming Centres and Rescues can showcase hounds looking for homes
• Businesses can spotlight sighthound-inspired or sighthound-friendly products or services
• Trainers and behaviourists can share sighthound-specific tips
• Download the Cheerleader Pack (coming soon) for ready-to-use graphics and captions.
FAQs
What is Sighthound Spotlight Day all about?
It’s a celebration dedicated to sighthounds of all kinds – from greyhounds and whippets to salukis, lurchers and beyond. The day shines a light on their beauty, quirks, and needs, while raising awareness about homing and adoption.
Why do sighthounds need their own day?
Sighthounds are often misunderstood. Many people don’t realise how gentle, affectionate and funny they are. At the same time, thousands of ex-racing greyhounds and other sighthounds are waiting for homes. This day helps bust myths, celebrate stories, and highlight the support they need.
How can rehoming charities and businesses take part?
On 30th April, share your stories, promote the hounds in your care, talk about your sighthound-friendly products or collaborate on spreading the message. The more voices we have, the stronger the spotlight. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #SighthoundSpotlightDay.
What’s a sighthound and does my dog count?
Sighthounds are a family of breeds built for speed and guided by sight. Greyhounds, whippets, salukis, lurchers, galgos, deerhounds, borzois, Italian greyhounds and many more are all part of the group.
But Sighthound Spotlight Day isn’t only for pure breeds. If your dog has sighthound in them, or any sighthound heritage, you’re very welcome to join in and celebrate together.
My sighthound isn’t adopted, can I still join in?
Yes! While a big focus of Sighthound Spotlight Day is adoption, because so many hounds are waiting for homes, this is a celebration of all sighthounds. Whether your hound came to you through adoption, rescue, rehoming, or from a breeder, they are very much part of the day.
Who can take part?
Anyone who loves sighthounds! Whether you live with one (or several, we know they can be addictive), volunteer with a rehoming centre, foster, or simply admire them from afar, you’re welcome to be part of the day.
Thank You & Inspiration
Sighthound Spotlight Day wouldn’t be what it is without the amazing creativity and support of others.
A special thank you to:
The very talented Tim, for creating so many of the graphics you’ll see relating to the day. Tim.
The genius that is Richard Skipworth, whose sighthound artwork and humour bring joy to thousands (see his Sighthounds Forever image). Richard has kindly agreed to share some of his work as part of the day. You can purchase his items via this Redbubble link.
The families who have kindly allowed me to share images of their fabulous sighthounds, helping to bring this day to life.
The people, the businesses, rehoming centres and volunteers who support them in so many ways.
And most of all, thank you to the sighthounds themselves, who are the daily inspiration behind it all.
Other Awareness Days You May Enjoy
I’ve also been inspired by many other awareness days and the people behind them. They’ve shown what’s possible when we come together to celebrate and support dogs.
• 1 February - World Galgo Day
• 21 February - National Whippet Day created by Debbie Humphreys Redhound for Dogs
• 20 March - Dogs in Yellow Day created by Sarah Jones from My Anxious Dog
• 2 April - Don’t Walk Your Dog Day created by Niki French from Pup Talk
• 2 June - National Greyhound Day
•26 July – National Pet Photography Day created by Kerry from Fur and Fables
• 24 August - National Brindle Dog Day created by Maria and Pete from The Sighthound Savoy
• 1 October - National Black Dog Day
Work With Clare
Alongside Sighthound Spotlight Day I run Insight Hounds, specialising in training for ex-racing greyhounds and sighthounds.
Free Resource: Join my newsletter link below.
Signature Course: Sighthound Skills – Insight to Make the Difference
1-to-1 Support: Work with Clare
📧 clare@insighthounds.co.uk | 📞 07814 566657
