Greyhound rehoming after racing ban could finish within two years, down from 5yr estimate
Greyhound adoption agencies operating in Manawatū-Whanganui say they are well ahead of their rehoming schedule nearly three months after New Zealand’s racing ban, but more than 1000 dogs are still seeking homes.
New Zealand’s commercial greyhound racing ban took effect on August 1, with the final race held at Whanganui’s Hatrick Raceway Track the night before.
Greyhound Transition Agency (GTA), formed to manage the industry’s dissolution, has five years to rehome what it originally estimated at about 1400 greyhounds following the ban.
A GTA spokesperson said the agencies had record numbers of adoption inquiries, applications and adoptions in August and September, with about 1076 dogs awaiting homes by the end of last month.
Nightrave Greyhounds director Rachel Rae said adoption interest had been “really high”.
“I think the media coverage has made people realise what awesome pets they are,” Rae said.
It had rehomed about 80 greyhounds since August, higher than usual, she said.
“Which is really good because we don’t want to see dogs sitting around in kennels.”
“It’s really awesome the public have been stepping up to adopt dogs.”
She said if rehoming continued at the same rate, they would likely finish within two years, but the five-year timeframe for funding and GTA support would still be beneficial in case of slowdowns.
“I do think that we’re going to be done a lot more quickly than was originally forecast,” she said.
GTA also estimated the rehoming programme would take no more than two years to complete but funding and operational arrangements would be in place until 2029 and could be extended if needed.
“It has been wonderful to see the increased public interest in giving these special dogs a forever home,” its spokesperson said.
Nightrave foster David Martin, who lives in Whanganui with his family and two greyhounds, Skye and Kaie, has helped organise recent Whanganui adoption events, including a track walk on the weekend of the ban.
“We’ve had quite a number of new greyhound residents in our town,” Martin said.
“A lot of people who are adopting greyhounds ... are doing it out of the goodness of their heart because these dogs need a home to live.”
A long-term foster named Pyro, who Martin had for more than a year, was adopted at the track day by Whanganui family Dean and Monika Stevens and their son, Max.
When they went to the track day, he said they felt an instant connection with Pyro and a month after bringing him home, his true personality started to show.
“We’re just stoked to have him as part of our family. We love him very much and he’s just a joy to have,” Dean Stevens said.
He encouraged anyone looking for a dog to consider greyhounds.
“They thrive on being close to you and they just want to be your best mate.”
“They’re just a cruisy, good-natured, calm, easygoing dog.”
Martin said he’d loved seeing Pyro around town with his new family.
“I often see him driving around and he always [has his] head sticking out of the window of the car.
“And when I meet up with him, he remembers [me].”
Rae said there were still misconceptions around greyhounds needing lots of space and exercise.
Greyhounds are generally low-energy dogs that tend to do well in a range of homes, including with older owners and families.
Martin said there had been a recent Whanganui-adopted greyhound living in an apartment in town centre, “proving that greyhounds can be apartment dwellers as well”.
Nightrave hosts regular adoption events throughout Manawatū-Whanganui with information posted on its Facebook page.
Greyhounds of Whanganui, a community group that often collaborates with Nightrave, also hosts monthly walks along the awa.
Rae said Nightrave was seeking fosters if people were interested in helping but unable to adopt, as well as bedding donations, with drop-off points in Whanganui.
Donations can also be made at its website.
“If you don’t think a greyhound is right for you, look again, because maybe it is.”
Erin Smith is a multimedia journalist based in Whanganui.