A SPECIALIST agency exists for dog lovers to adopt greyhounds.
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Greyhounds As Pets (GAP) has operated since 2008, re-homing greyhounds that have retired from racing or are unsuitable for racing.
Moss Vale residents Keith Hodges and Rowena Dean adopted their four-year-old black greyhound Sadie about one year ago from the agency.
“I think we’ll always own greyhounds, they are great pets,” Mr Hodges said.
“I don’t know if you could get a better dog, they’re good companion dogs.”
The couple described the breed as “delicate”, “sensitive” and “very easy” to own.
Mr Hodges said the dogs were different to other breeds as they grew up in a kennel environment with other dogs.
“They’re already socialised when you adopt them,” he said.
“As part of their training, they aren’t trained with regular, basic commands, but they don’t need them.”
Mr Hodges said the perception that the dogs were highly energetic was not the case with Sadie, but that they chose not to put her in situations where she may be tempted to chase moving objects.
“People think because they’re an ‘athlete’ they need a lot of exercise, but she’s the first one to want to go home on a walk,” he said.
“Sadie used to race, but she would sleep for 90 per cent of the day if you allowed it.
“However, they are sight hounds and are trained to chase moving objects, so it’s about being a responsible pet owner as well.”
Ms Dean said the breed were “very placid”.
“I don’t know how greyhounds have ended up as the ‘race dog’, as they are very sensitive and kennel life can be harsh,” she said.
The couple said adopting through the agency was “brilliant”.
“They make you aware of any issues you may need to know before adopting,” Mr Hodges said.
Ms Dean agreed: “They don’t want to set you or the dog up for failure.”
The GAP agency offers fostering, fostering-to-adopt and adoption opportunities.
A GAP spokesperson said the agency strove to ensure each adopter was matched to a greyhound which would suit their lifestyle and home.
“All of GAP’s greyhounds are behaviourally assessed to ensure their suitability as a household and family pet,” he said.
“Before they are placed into their permanent home, all GAP greyhounds undergo a minimum six weeks’ fostering to ensure a suitable transition from racing greyhounds to pets.”
The spokesperson said the average age of greyhounds available for adoption was three to four years, and all GAP greyhounds were desexed, vaccinated, microchipped and lifetime registered with the NSW Companion Animals Register before they were re-homed.
“GAP also has many greyhounds for adoption that have achieved Greenhound status,” he said.
“The primary aim of the GAP program is to help re-home as many suitable greyhounds as possible both up to and well beyond the closure of greyhound racing in NSW next year.”
By law, greyhounds are required to wear muzzles in public unless they have completed the Greenhound program. Greyhounds which have achieved Greenhound status wear green collars.
While there are no GAP events planned for the Highlands, the next adoption day for the agency is being held at Kellyville Pets, 106 Windsor Road, Beaumont Hills on September 24 from 10.00am to 2.00pm.