Greyhounds as Pets NSW (GAP), the rehoming arm of Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW), has completed the most successful weekend in the organisation’s history.
A record number of 80 greyhounds were rehomed across the weekend as GAP staged their annual National Adoption Day (NAD) events in Wagga Wagga, Tamworth, Wollongong, Bathurst and the major event in Sydney at Moore Park.
The number would have been even higher had torrential rain not forced another scheduled event at Speers Point, Lake Macquarie to be postponed.
Of the 80 greyhounds which found new homes through the NAD events around NSW, 41 were adopted at the Moore Park event. That Sydney figure equals the best single adoption day event held in NSW, alongside the 2018 NAD held at Wentworth Park.
“There were so many pleasing aspects to arise from our National Adoption Day events held around the State over the weekend,” GRNSW Chief Executive Officer Steve Griffin said.
“Naturally to see 80 greyhounds find new homes as pets around NSW is a tremendous result and it’s evident there continues to be genuine desire in the community for the greyhound breed.
“But the numbers are just one marker on the success of National Adoption Day. People who have been in the organisation for a long time remarked that they had never seen such a large crowd attend the Sydney event, despite far from ideal weather conditions and the threat of more rain.
“But perhaps most importantly was the raising of awareness around greyhounds being wonderful pets.
“Through strong media and marketing campaigns, the hard work of our teams, and our ambassadors Ryan Papenhuyzen, James Tedesco and Todd McKenney attracting mainstream media before and at the event, National Adoption Day, and the joy of adopting a greyhound has never received so much positive publicity.
“And that didn’t solely translate to people taking home pets. We also had so many people attending events for their first experience with greyhounds and the feedback I received at Moore Park was that having seen for themselves what amazing pets greyhounds are, many will be returning ready to adopt.”
The NAD events not only saw GAP NSW greyhounds find new homes, but many trainers were part of events across the State including the one at Moore Park, and successfully rehomed their pet-prepared greyhounds.
The postponed event which was to be held at Lake Macquarie will now be rescheduled to later next month.