Greyhound Retirement and Homing – UK Welfare Success Story
UK greyhound racing takes pride in its high percentage of retired dogs finding forever homes. Thanks to strict tracking, the Greyhound Retirement Scheme, and responsible trainers, retired greyhounds enjoy a smooth transition from racing to pet life, even amid economic challenges.
High Homing Rates for Retired Greyhounds
As a sport, we are proud to know that such a high percentage of greyhounds in the UK are homed when they retire from racing. Close tracking of every dog means we know exactly how many find forever homes.
Although we wish this number was 100%, the truth is, with other breeds, no one can accurately say what percentage are kept until old age or successfully rehomed if their first home doesn’t work out.
It is noticeable that the number of greyhounds retained by their owners or trainers has increased significantly. Greyhound racing, like anything else is not immune to the economic crisis. Homing centres for all breeds are struggling to find homes as people can’t afford pets so homing centre spaces for greyhounds are at a premium.
Trainers are therefore keeping the dogs upon retirement until spaces can be found. Homing figures have been improved in recent years due to the GBGB’s Greyhound Retirement Scheme whereby a greyhound goes to a homing centre carrying a £420 bond to help cover some of the costs of finding his or her forever family.
