Greyhounds back on track

Retired greyhounds will take centre stage at Cambridge Raceway on Sunday as the town marks another Great Greyhound Walk.

All lined up and ready to go – some of the 59 greyhounds that took part in the Great Global Greyhound Walk in Cambridge last year. Photo by Yvette Bodiam.

The event, being held globally this weekend, is intended to raise awareness of the breed and promote retired greyhounds as family pets.

Fifty-nine retired greyhounds took part in the walk here last year, making it the third biggest in New Zealand.  Greyhound advocate Jenny Bartlett said the numbers are likely to top that this year.

The event is run by the Shoe Box Appeal and the national Mayhounds Rehoming Group for Greyhounds.

In addition to the walk itself, there will be a doggy nail trimming station, a sales table, sausage sizzle, refreshments and opportunities for people to talk to teams available to provide information on retired greyhounds as pets.

Proceeds will go to the Shoe Box Appeal, which provides shoe boxes filled with toys and treats to greyhounds in foster care at Christmas.

“Greyhounds that are retired from racing go first into the Great Mates Rehoming programme where they are prepared for life as household pets, learning about things like stairs, vacuum cleaners and other household activities they won’t have been exposed to,” Bartlett said.

They are given health and adaptability tests before being given the tick for rehoming – they are then de-sexed before being placed in approved homes.

Hundreds of retired greyhounds have been successfully rehomed.

“At the end of the day, these are just dogs looking for a forever home. They settle well… are very good natured, great companion dogs that are not overly demanding.  They make wonderful pets.”

Jenny Bartlett with her beloved retired greyhound, Disco. Photo: Yvette Bodiam

More Recent News

Freedom – and mum is back

Susan O’Regan’s loss to Mike Pettit in the Waipā mayoralty clearly came as a shock, but a recent comment from her son Jack helped her see a silver lining. “He said to me a while…

Who’s the deputy

Sitting out last week in the greater Wellington area I watched the death throes of the election from afar – by way of my small knee-perched tablet. So, working backwards, first the result – at…

Back to the future

Three years ago, The News’ post local body election coverage highlighted the fact Waipā, Waikato and Matamata Piako districts, Hamilton city and the Waikato Regional Council all had women leaders. This week none have those…

Late drive swelled vote count

A Waipā District Council ‘drive and drop’ initiative had pop-up voting stations in council offices in Cambridge and Te Awamutu. Waipā staffers manned portable voting areas – made obvious by gigantic orange bins and billboards…