Meet The Team

Kerry Elliman

Founder and the chair of Candy's Hound Rescue International

Kerry has been involved with Greyhounds for most of her life. She founded sister rescue Greyhound Protection UK ( formerly BGP) in June 2012 when, after a few years of rehoming greyhounds, she could see there was a big gap; a need to help greyhounds that were not lucky enough to be put into the mainstream greyhound rescues.

She founded Candy’s Hound Rescue International (formally Candy Cane Rescue) on 25th of June 2017.

Kerry has three small children, 3 cats, 5 Greyhounds, 1 meat trade hound, and Romanian lurcher.

DoeDoe

Chinese rescuer

DoeDoe is a Chinese rescuer who first heard about the horrors of the meat trade four years ago. As soon as she  found out what was happening in her own country she wanted to help the dogs and has now dedicated her life to rescuing them. Doe is a hugely valuable member of the team and a dear friend. Doe is what decent kind people in China stand for and we can’t thank her enough.

Maura Berrini

Trustee

Maura adopted her first two Irish greyhounds in 2016. She was immediately interested to understand more about the racing industry and the meat trade in China.  This grew into her active involvement with the organisation. She supports Candy’s Hound Rescue International wholeheartedly.

George Keenan

Trustee

As a passionate advocate for animal welfare, I am delighted to resume my role as a Trustee for Candy Hound Rescue.

Throughout my life, I’ve been fortunate enough to share my home with remarkable rescue dogs, 3 of which have been greyhounds, each leaving an indelible mark on my heart. Beyond adoption, I’ve successfully fostered and successfully foster “failed” – a testament to the deep bonds formed with these majestic creatures.

My journey with animals spans since a child, encompassing both horses and dogs. However, it’s the sighthounds, with their grace, and gentle spirits, that have truly captured my heart. Through my experiences, I’ve witnessed first hand the challenges they face and the joy they bring into our lives.

In my previous tenure with the charity, I found immense fulfilment in supporting this mission. Whether serving as a flight volunteer to rescue dogs from the harrowing dog meat trade in Vietnam or lending a hand in various initiatives, every moment was deeply rewarding.

Now, as I step back into my role as a Trustee, I am excited by the opportunity to continue advocating for these deserving animals. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in their lives and ensure they receive the love, care, and respect they so rightfully deserve.

David Gibson

Trustee

David rescued his first greyhounds in 2016 and immediately fell in love with the breed. He has been supportive of Candy’s Hound Rescue International from the day it was founded and strongly believes in our cause and mission.

Ben Gothard

Trustee

Ben has known Kerry for a number of years and as a real animal lover is constantly blown away by the work that Kerry and the team do in saving these beautiful animals.

He has grown increasingly interested in getting involved and helping the charity in any way he can….

Angela Kilner

Super Fundraiser UK (North)

Angela has been involved with dog rescue for the past 15 years and has covered all aspects of rescue from fostering, homechecking, assessing and transporting. However, her passion is fundraising so she asked Kerry would she mind if she raised some funds for Candy’s Hound International Rescue. Angela heads up a small group of volunteers focusing on events within the greater Manchester, Lancashire & North Cheshire. If you would like to join the Northern fundraising team please contact Angela on 07779913089 or send her a message via Facebook messenger.

Gwenda Watt

Super Fundraiser UK

Gwenda rescued her first greyhound, Banjo, five years ago and fell head over heels in love with him and the breed. She currently live in Stiringshire, Scotland with hubby, two sons, two greyhounds (Snoopy & Charlie), two cats, two rabbits and a chicken!. She runs a cottage industry making cushions and logo embroidery services. She started using her creative skills to fundraise for the Greyhound Awareness League. When she discovered the plight of the China greyhounds she was so upset and desperate to help them but had no idea where to start. When Kerry set up Candy’s Hound Rescue International she realised there were many people out there who felt the same as her. Shortly after she set up the “Candy’s Hound Rescue International Fundraising Group” and teamed up with Sharon. The group has grown in numbers and is now a hugely motivated, amazing team of people, connected by their love of greyhounds, who raise funds to help support the work of the charity.

Emma Tildesley

Super Fundraiser

After years of wanting a greyhound of my own I adopted Dolly in 2015.

Until then I didn’t know much about the racing industry but after researching I was horrified to see just how cruel it was.

I then started supporting and volunteering for Kerry and what was then Birmingham Greyhound Protection as I admired their anti racing stance.

Again when Candy’s Hound Rescue International (then Candy Cane) was founded I was so upset hearing about these beautiful dogs being exported to China for breeding and then ending up in the meat market that it helped me make the transition to becoming Vegan and I’ve been helping to fundraise ever since.

I’m so proud to be a small part of this amazing team of people. I love fundraising and as well as helping with the online auctions on our fundraising page, I also do car boots, book sales outside my house and hold an annual Jumble Sale and Pub Quiz.

Julie Sadler

Behaviourist

I’ve known Kerry for many years through Midland Greyhound and lurcher rescue/rehoming (plus a few Fat Head Staffies too), I love that she is driven to provide the best possible chance for her hounds. I used to visit her kennels twice weekly to do TTouch and training sessions with the kennels dogs, it was so rewarding working with these hounds at the start of their new life.

I am passionate about Greyhounds and lurchers and also passionate about showing people what these amazing dogs can achieve – for years I refused to have a Greyhound telling a Greyhound-owning friend that they were really boring and just pottered along doing nothing else much- she often reminds me !!! Then in 2001 I adopted a very nervous Irish ex-racer from Dogs Trust and was hooked.

I also had found the Tellington TTouch Training Method (TTouch), it is a lovely effective training system that works ‘with’ the dog (or any animal) using bodywork (the TTouches), bodywraps/Thundershirts and leading exercises to bring the dog into physical, mental and emotional balance, like us once a dog or any animal is confident then unwanted behaviours fade and disappear. I had first used it with a horse I’d bred and it transformed his behaviour so I joined the Practitioner Training and am now a Senior TTouch Practitioner, TTouch is the base of all the training I do with dogs and horses.

Ive also rescently passed the IMDT Level 5 course Analysis & Application with an excellent course average of 80%

Hopefully I have spoken to many of you who have adopted a hound from Kerry, I contact Kerry’s new adopters and check if their new hound has settled in well or if I can help with any questions or queries that people might have- personally I think these calls are an excellent idea to give people reassurance and I wish more rescues would do them. These initial calls are free, I am also available if anyone wants behaviour or training help and advice in the future – just give me a ring or email.

Jayne Brack

Home Check Coordinator

I’ve been part of the team for over 6 years now, starting with Greyhound Protection UK and volunteering at their old kennels, then starting with CHRI when it began. I also transport, foster and fundraise for both rescues, all under the watchful eye of my wonderful deaf girl Scarlett in the photo.

Vanessa Kerr

Assistant

I have owned sighthounds for over a decade and adopted our Candy rescue Loki back in 2020! Since then i have been behind the scenes keeping the socials up to date. However, i am delighted to have taken the role as an assistant recently. Animals have always been a big part of my life, from giving ex race horses another chance at life to rescuing many chickens. Since welcoming Loki into our home and seeing the horror’s these dogs go through it makes me more determined to help as many as i can, in anyway way i can!

I’m honored to be a part of the team.