I see a few problems with re-homing... The biggest being that there are still no media campaigns, promotions of greyhounds as pets or adoptions being done out here at all, except what minor things i can do, which is not much as i am completely self funded and can not afford hundreds or thousands of $$ for tv ads or billboards. I am getting so many of the basic questions when out and about with the hounds, that most groups are not hearing anymore... I even have been asked if greyhounds are ok to be walked on a lead!!!

I have a few suggestions...

1. A massive media campaign and information sessions are needed all over the state (i don't know what issues other states face, so will only talk about NSW)... This needs to promote not only what great pets greyhounds are, but also local adoption groups... Even if just the names are mentioned & i think this needs to come from the governing bodies out of all the fees owners, trainers, breeders etc pay...

2. The process to retire & re-home a dog needs to be simpler, easier etc... I think this should include registering the dog on the NSW Companion Animal Register as part of the retirement process (without another costs)... The dog has already been registered, why do we (adopters, owners keeping hounds or re-homing groups) have to pay again?? This will also help the tracking of all hounds as they transition from racing.

3. My opinion is that the GAP program should be takign more of the hounds who actually need some work or time tofind their new homes... One of the main reasons smaller groups are flat out all te time is because they have houses/kennels full of dogs with varying degrees of issues affecting their ability to be re-homed. This also comes back to owners/trainersor whoever has care of the dog before going for re-homing... More work needs to be done to socialise dogs with other animals (like small dogs, cats, livestock etc... You get the drift). Many times i get dogs into care who act like they have no idea what some animals are, and therefore it causes a negative interaction because they don't know how to behave around that animal.

4. Foster Carers are always an issue for re-homing groups... They are so wide spread that it costs a small fortune to transport dogs into temporary homes! I have been forced to start personally driving dogs all over the state for foster and adoptive homes, as transport is just too expensive!

5. There needs to be more/ better racing options for those dogs who may not necessarily be the fastest dogs, but still perfectly capable of running a race... I see so many dogs retiring, simply because they are no longer competitive with the new/younger hounds coming through & it seems they all end up as the same grade and thereforethe older hounds can't match the younger hounds times and are no longer able to race... There doesn't seem to be a reason why these dogs are retiring exceot that the grading is flawed.

6. This one is more of a suggestion and an idea i am playing with... Not sure how it would all work yet, but maybe local tracks (with an adoption group nearby) could offer the use of the venue to hold a massive adoption day for hounds... Maybe allow owners to bring along hounds for private re-homing (although that could become tricky if hounds did not work out in their new homes)... If an area has several groups nearby, then all the groups could attend and make it a massive adoption day. Calling it something like The Big Greyhound Adopt Out Day... Or something catchy like that... There could be things to entice families to attend, like a jumping castle, face painting, a mini greyhound dog show (with fun categories) to showcase hounds already living as pets... I am open to ideas on this one, as it is just an idea i have rolling around in my head at the moment... I am toying with this idea because we don't have anything like it in regional NSW (Tamworth has a Dog Gala Day, which is for all dogs in the region... But i think something greyhound specific would be good to get more publicity for the breed)... It would also allow those dogs who may not be the best with other animals to attend and have a chance at finding a home (not that i have seen many who are not ok with other dogs at least).

7. Maybe the owners desexing program (see GRNSW website) can be used for owners who are privately re-homing their dogs... Although i don't 100% agree with the condition of passing the GAP test to use it... Why would you use this program if your dog could make it through GAP? Why not just use GAP?

8. Dogs that have been temperement tested and re-homed through a re-homing group should be eligible for a greencollar (muzzle exemption) upon something from the re-homing group, instead of having to go through the greenhound process and pay another fee! Most adopters don't want to pay for the greenhound test and then the collar after paying several hundred dollars to adopt their hound!

Of course, you then have the obvious suggestions, like:

9. GAP need to expand and take on more hounds...
10. GRNSW and the government need to start using more of the money that industry participants pay towards their re-homing policies and welfare strategies... So far, i have not seen any great effort to do this.

Anyone else have any ideas??

Nathan Bendeich wrote:
I'm going to keep on harping on about thie rehoming issue as I believe from evidence or lack of it , that we really don't appreciate the importance of this procedure !
Everyone is stuck on the "NUMBER " of the total bred per year ! Really ???
If we are held responsible and succeed with close to zero wastage numbers then we govern our total breeding NUMBER!! That will be a number that will be variable!!

Imagine this .....
And I'm aware Vic would already host something similar to this ,I'm talking about nsw

Rehoming day!!
A day that is set out like a carnival /gala day , Poeple attend are given bracelets with numbers , you walk around , eat and talk with all likes !! Trainers /breeders .
Your kids are supplied activities such as rides ,blow up castles ,merrygorides etc .
Tents with the highest acclaimed trainers and their greyhounds to touch and talk , a section with all possible greys that are available for rehoming .
An event that runs for 20 min including kids aged 5-7 and then 7-10 that run and race greyhounds that are run over a straight 150 mtr and a prize for each child out of each age group that comes closest to beating the greyhounds ! This should also occur at schools ,the event that is ,not the prize !!!
The prize ...at the gala day ,a bicycle!!!
Then an anouncement for 2 pups to be won that have been put up by one or some of the trainers that are present on the day , under the proviso that the winners are responsible for a home of the greyhound , and these winners are selected by a lucky number that are found on the wrist bracelet they acquired on entry !!there of course is no pressure on these winners to accept this prize that is offered , but if found overwhelming for the public person then it is repeated till we have 2 lucky winners !
These are just a few ideas about a day that sends the public home educated , fed and 2 kids win bicycles and 2 Poeple win pups !!!
It's a fun day that should be held twice a year , in April and oct for optimum weather conditions , and following a hopeful and new agreement in funding and our industry receiving its real worth , this event would be supplied and accommodated the funding

I'm sure Richmond greyhound track could hold this event !!!!

Thank you dan and mark !!
It baffles me to no end that I'm at work and then at home and all I'm thinking about is the unlimited potential that our industry has never tapped into ???
It really infuriates me ...!!!!! This should be an angle or a field that is prioritised yesterday ,that is met with an attitude that we can't wait to sink our teeth into !!!! It has taken far too long as it stands and we are stilllllllllll waiting for a bit of news or words on paper that contributes or progresses to this need !!!!!!!!
I can go on and on with ideas related to the above dream ..... pay Ricky Ponting $1000 to present the pup prize ,employ him for 1 hour .... his job is to present the prize and sign memorabilia (yes cricket bats,balls )and talk with kids !!! 1 hour !!!! Is it that hard ????? Gbota /alliance ,whatever your preferred title . Pay the same to Terry hill !!! He is another engrossed participant in our industry , remember NADS!!same thing ,he talks with kids who are budding young footballers !!!!! Signs shirts and footballs .
Gala day starts at 11:00 am
12:00pm greyhound races start ,bicycles are won at 12:30 pm
1:00pm pups are awarded by Ponting and terry hill
2:00 pm finish !!!!

It's 3 hours for crying out loud !!!
It's class , respect to the public ,giving back to our locals , its knowledge created !!!
Most importantly it's a proud and essential core that will define and carry us forward for ever !!!!
Alliance and gbota honestly what are we waiting for ???? I will not stop asking

The above statements are made weeks .... mths ago Jodi !!
It's all on the thread .... new future ... new ideas ,any topic !!!

Saying our industry leaders who hold the money WE have paid and we continually come up with fair and at least responsive ideas is lacking in common sense is a far too generous way of putting it into words !!!
No brains .... no fortitude.... no guts ...... lying pri~ks !!! Is basically the summary of those in charge !!!
I will also be making a video of a litter I have been involved with and posting it on my fb to assist and show the full lifeline of the litter and their characteristics and looks !assisted by some music and titles .
I believe this is another avenue that participants should be implementing!
Good luck Jodi , like I said they don't listen and are complete dumb Sh+ts!!

Here's a novel answer .......

Coz we don't get our fair share of income to do this !!!
Here's another novel idea !!! David !!
Why don't the gov. Pay you less and you take care of your own super ???
Your as bright as our advert campaign !!!!
Not very .....

Hi Jodie, thanks for your post.

You are right about the media campaign. There is a general belief out there that greyhounds are aggressive and we all know that is plain false.
One thing I believe we must do, if we are to achieve full rehoming, is to ban the stupid rule about wearing a muzzle in public. This is our greatest enemy in public education. All the media campaigns in the world, all the celebrity endorsements, all the positive stories, etc, are all undone in a flash as soon as someone sees a greyhound walking down the street with a wire cage on its face.
This stupid rule must be abolished.
I agree completely with you that the GAP programs, who are hugely funded, should be the ones taking on the dogs with behavioral issues. Why is it that if a dog fails GAP, it is then sent to a volunteer group who has to spend time and money they haven't got, trying to sort him out. I think this also adds to many volunteer groups perceptions of greyhound trainers in general, which isn't as positive as it should be.

Now this.
Does anybody know the dog better than its trainer? Why aren't trainers trusted to make a decision on how a dog will behave in public. Trainers should be able to ring GAP and say "yep this ones ok, send up a green collar thanks" or "nah this one needs a bit of work so he's coming to your program next week"

One more.
Volunteer rehoming groups should be accredited. Once they receive accreditation, then they should be able to apply for funding from the state racing bodies.

Steve, you have to remember that the RSPCA did not create the problem of these dogs and cats needing homes... Now i am not defending them (as they get way too much funding for what little they do), but they are not the ones breeding and then discarding, that is the backyard breeders and who knows how many of those are out there!! Greyhounds are the only dog breed so strictly regulated, which is why they are able to have independent figures... Where would they even start for cleaning up the pet industry? They (our regional RSPCA branches) offer desexing programs, free microchipping, free/cheap vaccinaations etc, but how do you make sure there is not someone breeding in their backyard and contributing to the pets being discarded? Australia is way too big of a place to have someone inspect every house and yard regularly!! That's just the simple truth... Yes, maybe pounds could make dogs be desexed before leaving, but then they would charge a much bigger fee and less would be adopted by the public... I know when i first got my boy, there was no way i could have paid several hundred dollars straight up for him. I got him from the pound for their standard fee, then a few months later i desexed him when i had saved enough... And yes, he would have been put to sleep if I did not take him, as he had no other options... No one wanted a greyhound! I was one of the first (if not the first) person to have a greyhound as a pet in my region, without having ties with the racing community to get it from a family member or friend... I don't know how many pets are out there with family or friends of owners/trainers/breeders becasue their paperwork was never done correctly for many years... I am now in the position to help other hounds, so i do what i can.

And we also have to remember that there are just not enough homes for every animal!! It's the sad, but simple truth! What needs to be looked at (from a greyhound position, as that is what we are dealing with) is how many are bred, maximising those dogs potential to race & then focusing on re-homing them... But i think maximising racing potential for all dogs, especially dogs who are not the cream of the crop (but still good, honest racers) will lower the rate of dogs retiring, lowering the amount of dogs being 'discarded' (i really don't like that word, but that's the most appropriate i can think of at the moment)... This in turn will lower breeding rates... The cycle will then flow on and i believe in a few years, the results of this will become clear and there will be less dogs needing help finding homes.

I believe that an owner & trainer need some sort of enforcable contract/agreement to responsibly & reasonably seek re-homing opportunities for their hounds after racing. Dumping them in pounds is not acceptable for several reasons... Firstly, it creates a bad view of greyhound people. Secondly, it costs groups to get them out for re-homing (costs depend on whether the pound has a rescue rate, but can range from a few dollars to around $100 - this is before any other costs).

Why shouldn't greyhound participants who want the dogs while racing be responsible for them at the end of their careers? Now i am willing to give the racing community a hand re-homing their dogs who are retired (for whatever reason), but when i have dogs coming in at 2yr old that are not leash trained properly, there is an obvious problem!!!! Other than an injury, i dont see why all dogs are not at least given the opportunity to find their legs on a track... Given how much it costs to breed, rear, break-in & buy them, it seems to me that there is a massive flaw in the system somewhere that needs addressing!!

NOw, if i do have facts incorrect, please bear in mind that i am not actually actively involved in the racing side of greyhounds anymore and have not had a lot to do with that part of the life cycle in about 10yrs or so, but i have tried to keep up to date with what is going on and the processes/procedures being implemented... I support responsible greyhound participants in their endeavours! I wish their dogs luck, i congratulate them on a win, i empathise with them when one is injured or needs to be put down... But i hate those participants who treat these beautiful animals like they are disposable!!! These dogs try their best, everytime we ask them to do something, they give us everything they have every time we ask it of them & when they become injured or not as competitive, some are thrown away!

I have had too many dogs come into care with injuries who have not been treated... I even had one girl come in with a suspected groin injury (again no vet visit)! Her owner rang me and when i asked him to wait a few days for me to sort out a few of the 10 i already had inside my home, he dumped her in the pound wihtout telling me!! We had made an agreement that he would wait a few days for me to make room for her and i get a call from the pound ranger 3hrs later! I ask where is the line of duty of care? When does it become unnacceptable? And i am sick of being told to report things... Nothing is ever bloody done!!! Just like the owner who dumped his dog on a relative while he went away and told her to get rid of it (relatives words, not mine)... The dog was given to a mentally unstabel person in a completely unsuitable home, not receiveing proper care! Then the family of this person was threatening to throw the dog out into the street!! I convinced them to wait until Monday and surrender the dog to the pound, because i could not get a suitable foster carer and i had 10 at home... At least the local pound would work with me as much as possible and hold him for a few days for me. Say what you want about the anti racing groups (like Greyhound Rescue), at least they are looking out for the dogs! I still couldn't get a carer to be able to take this boy and those angels managed to find somewhere to squeeze him into the huge amount they already have and his life was saved! His 'people' did not care for him at all!! If they had, they would not have dealt with him like that after he gave them everything he had... And i know he did because i have been following his career since he was a pup, as i re-homed his mother when she was going to be pts by the exct same person! The amount of dogs i have taken in that have been injured (and received none/ not appropriate treatment)or been threatened with euthanasia is sickening!!! When will participants start taking responsibility themselves? Why do dogs keep being sold or sent to these people, especially when i keep hearing that most trainers hate these people too!!! And i only see a fraction of the dogs that groups/people in larger areas like Sydney & Newcastle see... We even have a service at on local track which i find disgusting!! You can have a perfectly good dog pts after the last race in the kennel block... A dog with nothing wrong, who may have even placed that day! I don't think it should be allowed, as people do things in haste & anger all the time. I know this happens, as i happened to be at a meeting one day when i was told by a trainer that if i did not take the dog that was what wass going to happen to her! That dog has gone on to live quite happily with a young staffy, a mountain of cats (as the lady fosters rescue cats) adn a ferret for a while... Unfortunately the ferret bit the staffy and she kept trying to eat her after that, so the ferret had to be re-homed. Now, notice it was not re-homed because of the greyhound!! There was no reason for this dog to be put down at the track, except that she was being discarded! I later found out that her owner/trainer took home another dog in her place! I do not find this acceptable and this is exactly why racing has such a bad name... Cases exactly like this - dogs being taken for euthanasia to make room for new ones, dogs being discarded injured or just because they may not be the world beating champion their people had hoped they were...

Yes, the governing bodies may have failed participants... Hopefully they will be better in the future (but im not holding my breath)... But where does the responsibility to stop selling or giving these scum in the industry dogs?? Why are dogs still being sent to these people when they have such bad reputations? I can think of a couple of names just off the top of my head (who i wont name) that i cant find ANYONE who speaks highly of, yet they keep getting dogs given to them and the process of mistreatment and disposal starts again!! Yes, i said mistreatment!! One trainer told me of a dog living in the crawl space under their house, when i attended a secondary (unregistered) address to collect 3 other dogs, who were going to be pts if i did not collect them!! Yes, i reported it, but by the time the inspectors got off their backside and out here the dog was no longer there & without evidence (photos, videos - which would have been obtained illegally without the persons knowledge) it was just heresay from me!! This is how stupid and flawed the system is!! There is almost no way to make things better the proper way... We need owners, trainer & breeders to stop passing dogs onto these horrid people! Help clean up your own industry!! PLEASE! Once these people are gone, and they will go if they can't get dogs, then the people who keep telling me they love their dogs and the ones who work with groups and do the best for their dogs will be able to shine!

David, I can honestly say i have never seen a dime from either the RSPCA or AA!!! I have been approved for some funding from GRNSW (one of the grant schemes) to help build kennels but then all this media circus started and council is being difficult, wanting me to change the zoning of my house from residential to commercial!! So i have not tapped into those funds, as i am rethinking my strategy with council...

I have also applied for some funding (through another GRNSW scheme), but have yet to hear back about that... That is $350 per dog that i have re-homed after a certain date that has become a greenhound (so more costs!)... I have a vet bill of over $1400, i actually can't have any more vetwork done (except emergency things) until that comes down, so until i start seeing some adoption fees, or something i am basically shut down! Every dollar i have goes towards the dogs expenses, as i am self funded... I had someone from one of the local RSPCA branches approach me at the recent Dog Gala Day to talk about partnering, but by the sounds of it they want me to take the dog in, do the work getting it re-homable and then they will do its vet work (not vaccination - have to have that before they take them) and take the credit... That will leave me with the problem dogs or dogs that just don't pass their stringent testing again and they get all the credit for these nice dogs being re-homed when i have done the work!! That was what it sounded like, but i will definitely hear them out when they get back to me with a proposal... I need any help i can get!! I have a house full of hounds who are not ready or a cat or are not going to be cat tolerant (i never say friendly) & everyone wanting to adopt/foster has cats... My waitlist has blown out to a dozen or more dogs again (it reduced after the reversal was announced) & i am only managing to home around half a dozen out here per year!! Greyhounds are not popular pets out here and i am based within the second largest area for trainers in the state (GRNSW statistics, from the reform ideas they came out with a while ago)! The interest has picked up since all the bad media but people want to 'help' hounds who are cat friendly... And those dogs are few and far between!!

Bear in mind that the $350 per dog i mentioned above is only able to be applied for after the dog is desexed, lifetime registered, re-homed & has been approved for their greencollar... My costings to get a standard sized female ready for re-homing is $377 (based on being in care no longer than 1 month, but not including any pound release fees, transport fees or food for the hound), then the Greenhound test starts from $50 per dog & if they pass another $49.50 is payable for their collar... So based on being in care 1 month a female would cost around $476.50 to be eligible for the $350... That is not taking into account any other expenses or out of the normal expenses - like dental procedures, or injuries and illnesses.

Then there is ongoing costs, like beds, insurance etc... Just like industry participants have.

Now, I'm not crying poor or anything to get a hand out, just trying to give an outline of how things work here in my neck of the woods... Other groups have regular donations and fundraising to help with costs, but as a single person i cant do everything i am already doing plus organise fundraisers... On top of all the things for the dogs, i am also a fill time carer for my mum and nan & help care for my 2 nieces. So as you can imagine, i don't have the time, funds or resources to do major things like some of the other groups and i heravily rely on word of mouth and Facebook to do my promo stuff (not only for adoptions, but education)... That is one of the reasons things are so slow at times & patience is always well appreciated by all (adopters, foster carers, owners, trainers, breeders etc). :)

Why would i act dumb?? What purpose would that serve me? I genuinely don't understand why these dogs are not given the chance to run? Is is because they don't 'kill' (whether it be live bait or just a fluffy on the arm)? Is it becasue their times are not fast enough? Is it becasue they need more work & time and their 'people' (whoever may be involved in this process) don't want to put that time in & want a dog who is ready to go now? Is it becasue of the PT's (although i thought they had to be named to have those)?

When i was regularly involved with the industry almost every dog would get named, have some racing under its belt and then it would be reassessed... Very rarely did i see a dog who would not get named and at least tried... It was a popular belief that some dogs just took longer to find their legs than others, so would get better with experience...

And as far as ability goes, i have never met a greyhound who can't run! I currently have a 6 month old put in care who was born deformed and he still flies around the backyard!

What would you personally consider that would make a dog not up to scratch? **This is genuine interest, not making trouble, trying to start a fight... I am genuinely confused as to why young, healthy, sound temperament dogs with exceptional breeding are not meking the cut... Is it the new rules? If so, we obviously need to ask to have these looked at... There has got to be a way to make things better for the hound, which will ultimately make things better for their 'people' (whether it be owners, trainers, breeders)...