Among the notifications of retirement submitted to the regulator between April 2017 and May 2018, some owners simply say rehoming is not suitable because of the dog’s “temperament”, without describing their behaviour in any detail.
The documents, obtained under freedom of information laws, are being released as the Greens express concern about a weakening of NSW’s greyhound rehoming policy.
The spokeswoman said the commission would be monitoring owners with a high rate of unsuccessful rehoming and would intervene if necessary.
Euthanasia rules of the same type were criticised by the 2016 special commission of inquiry, set up by the NSW government. The inquiry said the rule would achieve little without a huge expansion of rehoming spaces.
“GWIC has changed the veterinary certification requirements to enable data to be gathered on dogs being euthanised to clearly identify euthanasia’s being undertaken for behavioural issues; medical issues; or owner request.”
If you’re unable to commit to caring for a retired race dog long term, you might want to try being a foster parent or a volunteer for an organization. By fostering, you will help contribute to the adoption process. As a foster parent, you can help retired race dogs prepare for a home environment and see to it that they go to the forever family they deserve.
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Race dogs are usually from the greyhound breed, and these dogs can be very active and fun-loving. Unfortunately, when they are used as race dogs, they are sometimes denied the pleasure of freely roaming about to play. Being kept in cages for long hours and being transported in these cages could also affect the spirit of the animal.
Despite these challenges, retired race dogs still have so much to give to families that choose to adopt them. These dogs are actually naturally affectionate and may blossom when they receive the care and attention they require. Giving the dog a space to finally run, play, and be properly loved might just be all they need.
A foster home could be a more intimate setting, and dogs will receive more attention from their foster parents, compared with a shelter or a rescue center. The volunteers are usually familiar with the greyhound breed, and they will be aware of the possible complications that may arise when homing a retired race dog.
Retirement offers a lot of exciting opportunities for greyhounds such as becoming service or therapy dogs, lure coursing, nose work, and agility to name a few.
There can be many reasons why the decision to retire a racing greyhound is made. The greyhound may be slowing down, may be prone to an injury, may have lost interest, may not be performing at their peak. Whatever the reason, there is a network of adoption groups ready to find the retired racer their adoptive home.
FACT: Greyhound adoption was started by the industry.
In the United States, the National Greyhound Association recognizes and endorses adoption groups that are responsible and professional in following guidelines and best practices towards the sport and the dogs. This list of credible and responsible adoption groups can be found at the National Greyhound Association Responsible Adoption Groups listing.
Farms and Training Farms Greyhounds retire from the farms and training farms when they show no interest in chasing a lure, have an injury, or are not able to run at current track speeds safely. They are then available for adoption through an adoption group or privately by an owner.
Tracks Greyhounds retire from the tracks for the same reasons they do on the farms. They may also retire at an owner’s request or when their running style makes conditions unsafe for themselves or other dogs on the track. They are then available for adoption through an adoption group or privately by an owner.
Puppies Puppies, and puppies from unplanned litters, are also available for adoption through an adoption group or privately by an owner. Puppies are very popular and often have long waiting lists to adopt.
Adoption Rate Greyhounds have an estimated 95% adoption rate, with thousands of dogs being placed in homes each year. At this time, there is no mandatory reporting for kennels or adoption groups, to confirm a more accurate number, although track kennels do keep logs as to where the dogs go after retiring.
Private Adoptions Dogs that are not placed with adoption groups or adopted out privately, often claimed to be missing, retire and live with their owners or on a farm, where they may be bred for future litters.
Rescue Groups Say Program To Rehome Retired Greyhounds Doesn’t Work
Retiring racing greyhounds were deemed unsuitable for adoption and put down because they chased lizards, hated cats, or were “too timid”, “too noisy” or “anxious and fearful”.
Internal Greyhound Racing New South Wales records obtained by Guardian Australia reveal some greyhound owners continue to rely on vague rationales for euthanising dogs when they retire from the track.
Among the notifications of retirement submitted to the regulator between April 2017 and May 2018, some owners simply say rehoming is not suitable because of the dog’s “temperament”, without describing their behaviour in any detail.
One document, dated August 2017, describes the rationale for euthanasia as: “Can not walk the dog waiting on hip replacement, could not give away. Dog does not like cats and other animals.”
Another from May last year said the dog was put down because: “Non-chaser and not suitable for rehoming as hates cats and wouldn’t make GAP [greyhounds as pets program].”
The documents, obtained under freedom of information laws, are being released as the Greens express concern about a weakening of NSW’s greyhound rehoming policy.
Previously, greyhound owners were required to seek the consent of the regulator to have an animal euthanased.
Now, greyhound owners must only show they have made “genuine and reasonable attempts” to rehome a healthy greyhound.
The change has been ushered in by the new Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission, a body that was key to the NSW government’s efforts to reform the industry.
Euthanasia rules of the same type were criticised by the 2016 special commission of inquiry, set up by the NSW government. The inquiry said the rule would achieve little without a huge expansion of rehoming spaces.
“At best, and perhaps ironically, the effect of the proposed rule will simply lead to a substantial increase in the number of greyhounds seeking new homes,” the inquiry found. “That would be a positive development if there were a substantial number of additional rehoming spaces available. That is not currently the case and it is unlikely to be the case in the future.”
Greens MLC Mehreen Faruqi said the new integrity commission was meant to clean up the industry.
“Instead our worst fears are being realised as they loosen the already weak safeguards,” she said.
“The regulator doesn’t have any interest in saving the lives of these dogs. By moving away from a permission-based system to a notification system, there is no opportunity for them to even intervene. By the time they’ll find out the dog is dead already.”
Faruqi said the retirement notices showed the industry continued to allow euthanisations for dogs that had stopped “turning a profit”.
“These hundreds of euthanasia forms confirmed what we all knew to be true. Dogs continue to get put down by the hundreds for the most spurious of reasons.
“Being too timid or barking at another dog shouldn’t be a death sentence and the industry should take responsibility for the rehabilitation of greyhounds they have used and abused or made money from.”
A spokeswoman for the Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission said there had been no weakening of the euthanasia policy.
“GWIC’s position is to increase owner responsibility and accountability for whole of life decisions,” she said in a statement.
“GWIC has changed the veterinary certification requirements to enable data to be gathered on dogs being euthanised to clearly identify euthanasia’s being undertaken for behavioural issues; medical issues; or owner request.”
The spokeswoman said the commission would be monitoring owners with a high rate of unsuccessful rehoming and would intervene if necessary.