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
