By Darren Cartwright
Greyhound adoptions have reached a three-year high with apartment dwellers starting to figure prominetly among those seeking to rehome a former racer through the Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP).
During 2021/22, 267 greyhounds were rehomed through Queensland Racing Integrity Commission’s GAP - the highest number this decade.
Overall, it was a 17 per cent increase on the previous financial year when 228 greyhounds were rehomed, which was also during the height of the COVID pandemic.
And an 11 per cent increase on 2019/20 when 240 racers found new abodes.
Greyhounds rehomed through GAP are matched with their new “parents” and there has been an overwhelming number of requests from apartment dwellers in recent times, said GAP Operations Manager Leah Kellaway.
Ideally, unit owners or renters are usually matched with a less active dog and anyone wishing to rehome a greyhound should register for the GAP's first Adopt-a-thon on the weekend of September 15-17, Leah said.
“During the adoption process, owners are asked about their family situation, social life and if they are homebodies or active,” Leah said.
"There have been a lot more owners in apartments adopting greyhounds."
One of the most recently rehomed greyhounds, alebit at a residential property, was rising four-year-old This Time Hayden who won two races in a 27-start career before retiring late last year.
Now named BB, he is a loving family pet after Chris and Brooke Lambert and their three children, aged between four and 10 (pictured), adopted him from GAP.
Chasing balls in the backyard is one of BB’s daily past times, as is chilling out and sleeping on people, Chris proudly said.
“He still has a very quiet temperament like all greyhounds, but he is a bit more playful,” he said.
“When you go out in the backyard with the kids he will play around and chase the ball and get really excited, but not to the extent other breeds will.
“As soon it’s done, he stops and it’s like he’s saying, ‘I’ve had enough’, and switches right off.”
At around 40kg, BB is one of the larger greyhounds rehomed through GAP.
It was quite a surprise for Chris and Brooke’s three children, including four-year-old Poppy (pictured), when the sizeable BB walked through the door.
But he could not be more loving, playful and easy to walk on the lead for their children, he said.
“I’m sure they (the children) would have preferred a lap dog, but he would happily lay on someone's lap,” Chris said.
“It took BB (pictured) four days to get used to the children and now when he sees them, he wags his tail and comes up for a pat.
“They love him and play with him. He’s good on a lead and any of the kids can walk him. He is so well trained.”
BB’s not the first dog Chris has owned.
He previously had a German Shepherd Pointer and said paying $100 for BB, a purebred that came desexed, wormed and with a collar, lead and kibble, was extraordinary.
“The COVID tax put the cost of some pure breeds from $2000 to $4000 and it’s incredible to have a dog the quality of BB, desexed, for just $100 and with high-quality kibble and accessories as well, is incredible,” he said.
Chris could not speak highly enough of the GAP, and neither could Steve Butcher, who along with his partner Jess (both pictured), adopted Freddie who raced as El Caliente.
T
hey came to adopt Freddy after attending the GAP stand at Ekka and he has lived up to all their expectations and more.
“My experience at GAP was great,” Steve said.
“The team was flexible with arranging a suitable time for myself and Jess to attend and the process of viewing the dogs was great.
“I also did not feel any pressure to adopt, and we are so lucky to have ended up with Freddie, though.”
GAP Adopt-a-thon will be conducted at its Churchable headquarters, 65km west of Brisbane, on September 15-17.
Anyone wishing to adopt on the day needs to register with GAP here, although adoptions are available statewide all-year round.
It costs $100 to adopt a greyhound, considered the oldest purest breed in the world and GAP officers contact all new owners three times over the first three months.
They also assist over the life of the greyhound and at any time, an owner can contact GAP for assistance, Leah said.