Media advisory
29 March 2007

GAP on the street today - first anniversary

Greyhounds As Pets (GAP) has had a highly successful first year of operation as it launches its annual street appeal in Auckland and Wellington today to help raise funds for the programme.

GAP is an independent charitable trust, established by Greyhound Racing New Zealand in March 2006, to rehome ex-racing greyhounds into loving homes. It relies heavily on a group of dedicated volunteers who have become passionately involved with the programme, and on its sponsors for financial support.

GAP Programme Director Jacqui Eyley said that they were thrilled with the success of GAP's first year in operation and were moved by the number of people who had contacted them to become involved in the programme and/or take home a greyhound as a pet.

"At the launch of the programme, we set a target of rehoming 50 dogs during the first year. We met this target in only six months of operation and approaching our first year anniversary, we have now rehomed 90 dogs throughout New Zealand."

"This is a great result for what is the only official adoption programme within the New Zealand racing industry. It's great to see these families getting so much pleasure out of having a pet greyhound as part of their home and we couldn't have provided this service without the help we receive from our sponsors, foster carers and volunteer network."

"As with any charity, fundraising is an integral part and a key focus in the next year will be to continue to seek corporate sponsorship and public donations. The annual street appeal will form part of our fundraising and we encourage Wellingtonians and Aucklanders to 'dig deep' when you see us today," she said.

Greyhounds As Pets is always looking for new foster carers, adoption homes and sponsors to become involved in the programme. They encourage anyone who would like to become involved to contact them directly or visit www.greyhoundsaspets.org.nz.

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