Racing greyhound owners and trainers are obligated to ensure the care and wellbeing of their dogs beyond their racing careers.

Under GAR 22, participants are required to notify the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) of the retirement, euthanasia, or other death of a greyhound:

• Within 10 days if that greyhound has been retired as a pet, been transferred to an adoption program, or been exported or surrendered to another agency.
• Within 10 days if that greyhound has been euthanised by a veterinarian – you must have a veterinary certificate of euthanasia to do this.
• As soon as possible prior to the disposal of a greyhound once it is deceased (including suddenly or unexpectedly). In this case, QRIC stewards may direct you to release the body of the deceased greyhound to allow a necropsy to be performed by a veterinarian.

For more information about the updated Rules of Racing, including GAR 22, visit racingqueensland.com.au/industry/greyhound/rules.

Those participants who are found to be non-compliant may be penalised.

From May 1, 2022, changes have been made to the National and Local Greyhound Racing Rules requiring all greyhounds to be sterilised prior to being retired as pets.

Under GAR 24, a greyhound that is being retired as a pet must be sterilised prior to leaving the care of the owner or registered person responsible – unless the dog has been accepted into an approved greyhound adoption program.

These rules have been applicable to Queensland participants since 1 June, 2022.

Racing Queensland will provide a subsidy payment towards the cost of sterilisation of retiring greyhounds through the introduction of the Racing Queensland Greyhound Retirement Readiness Scheme.

QRIC reminds owners that the responsibility of owning a greyhound extends beyond racing, and that formal confirmation from an owner or trainer will be required in future when retiring a greyhound back to the trainer.

The community expects real-time traceability, and we thank all participants who do their bit to ensure the sustainability of racing through compliance with retirement obligations.

One way to assist in the rehoming of retired greyhounds is to promote the breed in the Community.

The QRIC GAP team works with the community to rehome racing greyhounds and promoting the breed to prospective pet owners is an essential part of the program.

Did you know that you can have retired racing greyhounds visit your workplace?

Promote the Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP) QLD by hosting a pop-up event!

The GAP team is looking to work with businesses to organise on-site pop-ups, where people can interact with retired racing greyhounds and learn more about how to adopt or foster a retired racer.

Our passionate team is flexible and will work with you to organise a pop-up that is suitable for your workplace.

Take a break and inject some fun into your workday with free pats for staff and customers and help us to promote the important work of rehoming retired racing dogs.

For more information about how your workplace can host a GAP pop-up, please contact communication@qric.qld.gov.au.