QRIC Media Release: GAP reaches 400 adoptions and the milestone highlights there is a greyhound for everyone
4 June 2024
The Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP) Queensland is celebrating the monumental milestone of adopting 400 retired racers, our largest number in a financial year, with the GAP’s 400th adopter proving there truly is a greyhound for every home and lifestyle.
Rowan Lymberry of Coopers Plains, Brisbane, requires a wheelchair due to his disability, and finds it difficult to use his hands.
When he adopted GAP greyhound, three-year-old Pele, he and his friends and carers embarked on a mission to help both Mr Lymberry and his fur-ever friend live together as independently as possible.
Mr Lymberry said his first mission was to ensure Pele was comfortable with his wheelchair.
“For any dog, because the wheelchair is a new object, they have to get used to that,” he said.
“When I went to pick up Pele, I thought it would be an uphill battle, but I found that he adjusted really well, and I think that it must be something about greyhounds because I have had four greyhounds as pets, and they are very good at adjusting to the wheelchair.
“I’ve found greyhounds follow instructions, they’re good at picking up new things and when you’ve got a wheelchair there are a lot of instructions to take into consideration.”
Mr Lymberry and his carers are now adapting and trying different ways for him to take Pele on walks by himself.
“My carer is in the process of working out a lead that I can put on by myself so that I can take him out, but right now I’ve got friends and carers that can help me take him for a walk,” he said.
“All my friends like him as well so that’s a good thing, including my sister.
“Anybody that sees Pele falls in with him.”
A quirky, curious dog, Pele brings love and fun into Mr Lymberry’s home.
“He is quite happy and very curious – he goes past the fish tank and has a look at the fish, which is quite funny because I haven’t ever seen a dog do that,” he said.
Mr Lymberry said that visiting the GAP website when he was thinking of adopting helped him to pick the right dog for his lifestyle.
“With my disability, I had to find the right dog for me, and the GAP team supported me with finding Pele, who is a good match,” he said.
Mr Lymberry was pleased the GAP team used their expertise to find a dog that was comfortable with other dogs, had a placid temperament, and Pele’s medical history was provided.
Pele and Mr Lymberry meet at GAP’s “Homeward Hounds” adoption day.
All GAP greyhounds are health and behaviourally assessed, treated for the prevention of ticks and worms, microchipped, vaccinated, and given a dental examination before being made available for adoption.
GAP greyhounds are available to adopt for $100, or to foster with the support of the GAP.
GAP Queensland is run by the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC), a Queensland Government body that works with greyhound racing industry participants to prepare their dogs for life in a pet home.
QRIC Commissioner Shane Gillard said the adoption of 400 retired racers this financial year was the culmination of years of hard work.
“Our dedicated team has been working hard to promote greyhounds as pets to the community over the years, through engagement and education,” he said.
“There really is a greyhound for every type of personality and lifestyle, and we thank the dog-lovers in our community that have attended our Homeward Hounds adoption events, worked as foster carers, engaged with us on social media and brought a fast friend into their homes.”
For Mr Lymberry, Pele is already an irreplaceable member of his family.
“Without having a dog in my house, it would be a whole different atmosphere. It would feel empty,” he said.
Meet GAP greyhounds available now for adoption at www.gapqld.com.au.
ENDS.
Media Contact: Nicole Rowles 0467 955 412