Working from home boosts greyhound adoptions

Queensland’s Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP) has seen a surge in the number of greyhounds adopted in April bringing the total number for the financial year to more than 200.

Queensland Racing Integrity Commissioner Ross Barnett said there has been a marked increase of adoptions during the pandemic with many people working from home due to COVID-19 restrictions and have made the decision to adopt a greyhound. 

 “This surge in greyhound adoptions is an unexpected outcome of the restrictions around the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.

“As a result we are even calling for more dogs from the Queensland racing industry to keep up with the demand of dogs to adopt.

Commissioner Barnett said the QRIC GAP works with the greyhound racing industry to re-home their retired racers to loving families across Queensland, through our South East Queensland GAP at Churchable and our North Queensland GAP based in Townsville.

“Greyhounds make great pets and many families have chosen to make the commitment to a greyhound while they have more time at home to settle them in and some families have also taken the opportunity to foster a dog during this time,” he said.

The QRIC GAP team has been working very hard to ensure that all the safety protocols associated with the COVID-19 restrictions such as social distancing are followed during adoptions.

For industry participants wishing to retire their greyhounds to the program, the GAP holds greyhound intake days every fortnight, intake forms are available on the GAP website www:gapqld.com.au/forms-guides/intake-form/or contact 1300 087 021 and an intake form can be posted.

If you are interested in adopting a GAP greyhound, contact the team on 1300 087 021 or email gap@qric.qld.gov.au

ENDS.

Media Contact Vincene Overs 0472 842 346