Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) is expanding its Greyhounds As Pets (GAP) program following the successful purchase of a new facility on the NSW Central Coast.
The 3.5 acre property at Wyee can house up to 120 dogs at any one time when fully operational, of which about one-third will be greyhounds.
The $1.45 million facility, which was officially launched by NSW Racing Minister Troy Grant and GRNSW Chairman Eve McGregor on Tuesday, July 15, also acts as a commercial canine boarding site.
The property is an important part of GRNSW’s unwavering commitment to animal welfare and also addresses a key recommendation by the Select Committee on Greyhound Racing in New South Wales that called for greater resources for greyhound rehoming, including allocating funding for greyhound adoption facilities.
The Playhouse Pet Motel, which is a successful kennel and commercial canine boarding business, will provide the best facilities for post-racing greyhounds and the greatest opportunity for them to be rehomed.
Run by fully trained staff, the property features a large recreational area and state-of-the-art boarding suites for the dogs.
All proceeds from the motel will fund the increase in capacity of GRNSW’S GAP program, while the facility itself is an important platform for the strategy to improve end-of-career alternatives for greyhounds, including re-homing opportunities.
GRNSW Chief Executive Brent Hogan said the motel is another step towards improving the welfare outcomes of greyhounds Throughout their careers and post-racing life.
“The property will assist in more greyhounds being re-homed as well as helping industry participants responsibly rehome their retired greyhounds,” Mr Hogan said.
“Through this purchase we are inheriting a successful boarding facility which will offset the associated costs and which will in turn assist in the successful rehoming of greyhounds when their racing careers are over.”
Minister for Racing, Troy Grant, said the scheme would provide opportunities for members of the public to adopt a mature greyhound into the family home.
“This is an important addition to the range of measures in NSW that ensure the successful rehoming of retired greyhounds,” Minister Grant said.
“I applaud Greyhound Racing NSW for their leadership in the creation of this facility.”
