Greyhounds Find Their Forever Homes During April Adoption Month
As a result of Greyhounds as Pets WA’s (GAP) adoption month this year 67 retired greyhound athletes found their new homes.
April was marked Greyhound Adoption Month this year, with GAP encouraging people to become a greyhound’s next victory with discounted adoption fees from $350 to $75, and all dogs vet checked, vaccinated, microchipped, and sterilised.
The event attracted 211 applications from potential adoptees looking to find their greyhound companion. There were 31 greyhounds officially rehomed, and a further 36 started the foster to adopt process during the month.
GAP ambassador and renowned veterinarian, Dr Garnett Hall, said he was thrilled to see so many greyhounds find their perfect match.
“It is fantastic to see so many greyhounds being adopted into loving homes throughout Greyhound Adoption Month,” Garnett said.
“Greyhounds really do make wonderful pets and are the perfect companion. I encourage those thinking of adding a greyhound into their life to contact GAP and fill that four-legged hole in their heart.”
RWWA Animal Welfare Manager Dr Anna Smet said the initiative forms part of the racing industry’s commitment to ensure greyhounds are provided with a rewarding retirement following their racing career.
“Following the success of national adoption day in the past, this year we extended the opportunity for the whole month, and it was great to see so many individuals and families interested in adopting a greyhound,” Anna said.
“Greyhounds are matched to their new homes based on their individual needs, to ensure it’s the perfect fit for both the greyhound and their new family.”
“All athletes deserve a rewarding retirement and as an industry we are committed to ensuring that greyhounds are provided with best care both during and after racing.”
Greyhound Adoption Month aims to support greyhound adoption and raise awareness of greyhounds as a suitable choice of pet. For more information about adopting a greyhound visit www.greyhoundsaspets.com.au
About Greyhounds as Pets WA
Greyhounds as Pets WA (GAP) is a greyhound adoption program of Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA), which forms part of its commitment to ensure racing greyhounds receive the best levels of care during all stages of their lives. GAP has dedicated animal behaviourists who use their expertise in canine behaviour to assist greyhounds that come through the program to adjust from life as an athlete, to life as a pet.
About Foster-to-Adopt
All greyhounds that enter the GAP program spend a minimum of four weeks in foster care before being adopted During this time GAP’s animal behaviourists work closely with the foster carers to assist the greyhound in transitioning from racing to life as a pet.
In a Foster-to-Adopt arrangement the greyhound will usually already have passed its Green Collar Assessment, which is a behaviour assessment that allows the greyhound to be muzzle-free in public, but will not have spent much time, if any, in a home environment.
In this option the potential new owner will act as the foster carer for a period of four weeks, helping the greyhound transition to home life. After four weeks has passed GAP processes the adoption.