From retired greyhounds in Ireland to guiding the team at Little Valley, Jo Blake brings a wealth of experience, a love for animals, and her loyal greyhound Sergio to Devon’s countryside.
Since September 2024, Jo Blake has been settling into her new role as Shelter Manager at RSPCA Little Valley Animal Shelter. Originally from Hampshire, Jo joins us after dedicating years to animal welfare, with a particular focus on rehoming and rehabilitating retired racing greyhounds in the UK and Ireland. With her own four-legged companion Sergio by her side, Jo has embraced her new home and community here in Devon. We caught up with Jo to learn more about her journey, her passions, and what she’s looking forward to at Little Valley.
Welcome to Little Valley, Jo! How have you found your first few months here in Devon?
Thank you! It’s been a fantastic start and I’m very grateful to all the staff and volunteers for being so supportive and kind whilst I’m settling in and getting up to speed. It’s been a steep learning curve so far, and I’m certain that every day will bring new knowledge and understanding for me in this role from the people and animals who need our care and support, and from our extremely knowledgeable team.
Having studied here at Exeter University many years ago, I later returned to the region in a field based role, so I’m enjoying re-discovering some favourite old haunts as well as finding some great new dog walking spots. I have a particular love for this part of the world and am delighted to be living here once again.
Can you tell us a bit about your background? What inspired you to get involved in animal rescue, particularly with greyhounds?
It all began with the line, ‘Well…there’s this dog…,’ and from there my first greyhound came home and the rest is history! I grew up with various pets as a child, mainly small animals (and our neighbour’s cat, who adopted me!). Pepper moved in with me after he could no longer race having sustained a minor wrist injury. Pepper was later joined by Mo (another greyhound), and I began volunteering with my local Greyhound Trust branch, thoroughly enjoying being part of a community of animal lovers. It wasn’t long before I realised I really wanted to work in the sector full time as well as continuing my volunteering. Since then I’ve undertaken a variety of roles; working in supporter relations at Dogs Trust, overseeing operations and welfare at Greyhound Trust, developing the work, infrastructure, and growing our income at Professor Noel Fitzpatrick’s Humanimal Trust charity, and more recently heading over to Ireland to undertake a similar role working to develop and increase retired greyhound rehoming there. Over the years I have volunteered with a number of organisations and in a range of roles from walking and assessing dogs for The Cinnamon Trust, to poo picking at my local equine sanctuary.
You worked in Ireland with retired racing greyhounds. What was that like, and are there any moments or stories from that role that really stand out to you?
The opportunity to move to South West Ireland was too good to pass up, and so Sergio and I headed back to his native country to understand more about animal rescue and rehoming there generally, and specifically in relation to retired racing greyhounds. Attitudes to animal welfare are much different – for example, I didn’t come across any cat specific charities during my time there, and seeing stray dogs around was an almost daily occurrence. The trick was being able to read a dog’s body language to know if they were a farm dog off to visit a neighbouring house or farm, i.e. they knew where they were going and would be cared for when they got there, or whether they were lost/dumped and in need of help. Having rented my various homes when moving around over the years, this was also the first occasion I’d ever been asked by a prospective landlord if my dog was going to live outside!
Most greyhounds that race in Britain are bred in Ireland so breeding is big business, and coursing is still legal there too so there is a greater variety in the backgrounds of greyhounds needing help, and often more younger greyhounds than we would routinely see in Britain. Coursing greyhounds are physically much bigger than track racing dogs, and I met the biggest greyhound I’ve ever known whilst I was there – Paudie weighed in at a whopping 47Kg (he towered over average sized Sergio who is around 35Kg by comparison!)
He was an absolute gentleman I might add, and is now enjoying life in a wonderful home as a family companion.
We hear your greyhound Sergio has joined you here – how is he settling into life in Devon?
Sergio (Sergie to his friends!) is a wonderful and gentle character who, for as long as I’ve known him, has excelled and relished in helping others. I met him when I worked at Greyhound Trust during a branch visit, and even then he’d given himself the role of buddy and mentor for the more nervous greyhounds needing support and reassurance at the branch. Since then, he’s gone on to be a therapy dog with Therapy Dogs Nationwide where I was also a trustee for a time, he’s helped promote greyhounds as pets both here in the UK and in Ireland, and has worked to support dogs learning to be more relaxed around other dogs. Having given so much to others from his racing days, to therapy sessions and supporting other dogs, I’d promised Sergie a much deserved retirement here in Devon (he is approaching 13 years old after all!). As it turns out, however, he didn’t fancy that and loves to have a role to play. So he now helps the team work with some of the dogs here at the Shelter as needed, and had a whale of a time on our stand at Pets at Home in Exeter as part of the recent Santa Paws campaign.
What drew you to Little Valley and the role of Shelter Manager?
I love variety and opportunities to learn and the Shelter Manager position at Little Valley offers both in spades! Whilst I’ve lived and volunteered with a variety of species I’m really enjoying learning from all of the team, particularly regarding the cats, small animals, and birds we care for here. Working in a more rescue focused organisation (as opposed to rehoming) supporting the work of the National RSPCA and Inspectorate, is also an opportunity for insight and experience with a very different operating model to those I’ve experienced previously.
When you’re not working hard at the shelter, how do you like to spend your free time?
As well as being a self confessed crazy greyhound lady, I absolutely love learning and am usually studying something animal related with a further list of courses I plan to do next! I completed an MSc in Animal Welfare and Behaviour back in 2023 and am already stuck into two new courses focused on dog behaviour and cat rehoming. Sergie and I enjoy getting out and about together, especially to scenic spots with lovely photo opportunities so I am really looking forward to exploring Dartmoor and other beautiful places across the region.
What are you most looking forward to achieving here at Little Valley?
There is so much expertise and passion amongst the Little Valley team and, in addition to our work with animals here at the Shelter, there are many opportunities for us to utilise and share that knowledge and expertise to help animals and people across Devon. I’m enthusiastic to expand and develop our education, community, and outreach activity with a view to helping more people before they might need a greater level of intervention for their animals, as well as considering opportunities to trial different and new ways of working so that we can work as effectively as possible to care for and support animals across Devon needing our help now, and those who might need our help in the future.
Finally, for anyone thinking of adopting a pet, especially a greyhound, what would you say to encourage them?
Animals make wonderful companions but it’s so important to do your research to be aware of your potential new friend’s needs and the level of commitment involved. Take your time to find the best character to fit with what you can offer them through your home and lifestyle – and for greyhounds (and cats) in particular – please don’t overlook the black ones, they have just as much to offer as any other colour and would love the opportunity to be loved by you.