Ellyse, a Greyhounds As Pets Community volunteer, is supporting the adoption drive. Photo: Supplied.
Greyhound lovers in the Riverina will have another chance this weekend to meet more dogs looking for homes, as Greyhounds As Pets returns to Wagga Wagga for a special adoption day.
The free community event will be held at Petbarn Wagga Wagga on Saturday 20 June from 9 am to 1 pm, with more than 25 greyhounds expected to attend.
Greyhounds As Pets NSW (GAP) is the rehoming program for retired racing greyhounds in NSW. It works to assess dogs coming out of the racing industry, provide veterinary care and behaviour checks, and match them with suitable adoptive homes. The program aims to help greyhounds transition from racing life into domestic environments, including families, couples, single households and apartment living.
GAP NSW said the Riverina continued to be one of the organisation’s strongest regions for greyhound adoption interest, with demand prompting regular return visits to Wagga Wagga.
Greyhounds are racing dogs bred for speed over short distances, but most retire young once they are no longer required for racing. GAP says the retirement process is part of ensuring the dogs can move into appropriate pet homes, where their temperament and needs are better suited to a quieter lifestyle.
Some 25 dogs will be available for viewing. Photo: Supplied.
The organisation says greyhounds are often more adaptable than people expect, describing them as generally calm, gentle dogs that can suit a range of households. They typically require only a short daily walk and can live comfortably with other pets when introduced properly.
The Wagga event will give locals the chance to meet a large number of dogs in one place and speak with GAP staff about the adoption process. A reduced adoption fee of $75 (down from $250) will also apply for June as part of the campaign to encourage more people to consider adopting.
A local story is also part of this weekend’s return to the same store. Petbarn Wagga manager Bianca first met greyhound Roy at a previous adoption event at the store. After seeing him miss out on being adopted at the time, she later chose to take him home herself. Roy is now settled and thriving in Wagga, and organisers say the return of the adoption day to the same location highlights the impact these events can have on both dogs and new owners.
Visitors are encouraged to bring existing pets for meet-and-greet introductions, and profiles of the greyhounds attending can be viewed online through GAP’s “Dogalogue” at gapnsw.com.au.
Adoption day will run from 9 am to 1 pm on Saturday 20 June at Petbarn Wagga, 3/12-20 Edward Street. Apply to adopt beforehand online.
