An Aberdeen photographer has taken photographs of retired racing greyhounds for a charity calendar.
Beth Hopkins, 26, specialises in taking photos of pets.
Earlier this year, she was approached by the charity Give a Greyhound a Home to photograph their annual fundraising calendar.
They focus on finding retired racing greyhounds a home.
The charity has a special place in Mrs Hopkins’s heart after she adopted her retired greyhound Alba through the organisation.
But she says adopting a retired greyhound can be challenging.
‘Seeing them learn to play is the best’
“They have never lived in a home environment before, so lots of things like toys they have never really experienced before,” she said.
“Seeing them discovering how to play has been one of the best things to see.
“And they are not used to things like laminate flooring which they can sometimes struggle with.”
But Mrs Hopkins believes the charity also goes the extra mile to make sure the right dog is matched with the right home.
She already has a Jack Russell, so the charity suggested she take a greyhound less prone to chasing small fluffy animals.
They say they always put the dog’s needs before the potential adoptees.
Money used to give greyhounds ‘forever homes’
Steph Gravell is a volunteer with the charity. She said: “It is fantastic for Beth to do the calendar free of charge.
“We are a volunteer-run organisation and all the money raised goes on vet bills to get the dogs neutered and looked after.
“If we don’t have any money we can’t get any more dogs rehomed.”
There are currently two Greyhounds looking for forever homes on the Give a Greyhound a Home website.
Mrs Hopkins says greyhounds are often kept in kennels or cages while they are not racing and more needs to be done to improve their treatment.
At the beginning of October, there were calls in Holyrood to shut down the last operating greyhound racing track in Scotland, Thornton Stadium near Kirkcaldy.
Charities such as Dogs Trust and The Scottish Animal Welfare Commission have also called for greyhound racing to be banned.
The Floofs & Snoots pet sudio
As a passionate animal and dog lover, she decided to use her pet photography studio, Floofs & Snoots to help.
She posts regular photos on her Instagram page since starting the page last year.
Over a period of two months, she hosted 12 different Give a Greyhound a Home families come to her studio in Aberdeen for a photography session.
She said: “It was great to meet the dogs that have been rehomed by the charity.”
Local printing company XIC in Aberdeen has agreed to print the calendar at a reduced rate.
It is due to be released within the next week.
To buy a calendar, visit the charity’s website.
Conversation