New Homes for 697 Great Mates
Greyhound Racing New Zealand’s (GRNZ) rehoming program Great Mates has placed a record 697 greyhounds in loving homes in the past 12 months with the help of its trusted and approved network of partners - Greyhounds As Pets, Nightrave Greyhounds, May Hounds, and Kiwkiwi Hounds.
“It's quite an achievement especially in a cost-of-living crisis with 16,000 job losses across the country in the same 12-month period,” says GRNZ’s Welfare Strategy and Operations Manager Darrin Williams.
“Our adoption numbers reaffirm our commitment to ensuring every greyhound has a great life from birth to retirement and beyond,” says Williams. “We meet or exceed every requirement set by the government's watchdog (Racing Integrity Board), and our excellent traceability reinforces that commitment.”
The latest numbers build on consistent progress of GRNZ’s Great Mates rehoming program with 673 total adoptions in FY 23/24 and 481 adoptions in FY 22/23.
“There was some needless scaremongering that GRNZ’s greyhound rehoming efforts would slow when the government’s intention to ban greyhound racing was announced but the numbers show Great Mates continues to be effective,” says Williams.
“Caring for animals takes time and money and we are grateful to all the generous people who are sharing their homes with greyhounds, but New Zealanders are finding it tough, so adopting an animal is a really big deal.”
Equine codes are not immune to the challenges of rehoming either with Harness Racing New Zealand launching a Rehoming Rewards Scheme that incentivises rehoming bloodstock in exchange for Prezzy Cards. Twenty horses rehomed equals a Prezzy Card of $150 value, $300 value if 35 horses are rehomed, and $500 value for rehoming 50 horses. The scheme notes “horses that are euthanised, returned to their original owner or come back to you for resale won’t count towards your total.”
Recent media reports from Councils and animal shelters report of a drop in their adoption rates that they say is driven by financial pressure and desperation.
“It's clear that many people are struggling to look after their dogs properly,” Auckland Council’s Animal Management Manager Elly Waitoa was quoted as saying in a council media release.
“The sheer number of dogs going unclaimed has sadly meant more dogs have been euthanised than in previous years,” she said.
SPCA reports a decline in dog adoptions for the past 12 months while demand for support is greater than what the organisation can provide. Speaking with RNZ’s Checkpoint, its General Manager of Animal Services Dr Corey Regnerus-Kell says they struggle to get the message across as to what they can and can't do.
“We don't help the owned healthy animals,” Regnerus-Kell says.
“The SPCA is not here to be a rehoming service for everybody who doesn't want an animal anymore.”
Rehoming 697 greyhounds is a responsibility GRNZ takes seriously, and enormous care is taken to ensure each dog is well prepared for their new home. Every greyhound that is rehomed through Great Mates is microchipped, desexed, vaccinated, socialised, dental and vet-checked, behaviourally assessed, and council registered.
“Our greyhounds have been loved since birth. They are happy, healthy and make perfect pets.” Williams says.
GRNZ continues to encourage responsible animal lovers looking to adopt a greyhound as a pet to visit Great Mates to browse adoption profiles through its trusted and approved partners. /ENDS
For media inquiries or interviews, contact:
Darrin Williams, Welfare Strategy and Operations Manager: darrin@grnz.co.nz
Website:
Watch the Great Mates TVC:
There's a Great Mate for Everyone!
About GRNZ
Greyhound Racing New Zealand is the governing body for greyhound racing in New Zealand and provides governance, support and assistance to the affiliated clubs in the sport of greyhound racing.
The decision to end greyhound racing has significant economic and social consequences. The sport provides 1,054 full-time equivalent jobs and contributed $159.2 million to the economy in FY23.
The Government announced on 10 December 2024, an intention to legislate to ban greyhound racing in New Zealand from 31 July 2026.
Greyhound Racing New Zealand has applied, through its Counsel to the High Court, for a Judicial Review of the Government’s decision to ban greyhound racing.
Visit www.grnz.co.nz for more information.
