MP to 'Meet and Greet' with Local Greyhounds

On August 14, a group of local greyhounds will have the opportunity to meet a special guest in the form of New Zealand MP Chris Bishop.

Mr. Bishop, based in Lower Hutt and Wainuiamata, is one of Parliament's youngest members and most active users of social media. He is also an animal lover and supporter of animal welfare. Mr. Bishop will join a group of Greyhounds as Pets (GAP) owners and dogs on a Sunday morning walk along the Hutt River, taking the opportunity to learn about greyhounds and the GAP adoption programme.

Greyhounds as Pets (GAP) Regional Coordinator Daniel Bohan says that he I saw a post on Facebook from the MP in May about an abandoned kitten and the "vital work that animal welfare groups do."

"I commented on the post about the importance of pet adoption and mentioned the work of Greyhounds as Pets. I was then contacted by Mr. Bishop's office expressing a desire to learn more about the GAP programme."

"I was very pleased to extend an invitation to Chris to join in on one of GAP's regular events."

This was an invitation that Mr. Bishop was "very keen" to accept.

“Since I’ve become an MP animal welfare is one of the issues I’ve become really interested in," says MP Chris Bishop. "Organisations like GAP do incredibly important work, and I’m looking forward to getting to know the volunteers and the greyhounds themselves.”

The walk, which was organised by GAP volunteers Janet and Tony Sykes, will meet up at 10am at the south end of the Riverbank carpark on Daly Street in Lower Hutt and then head down along the Hutt River between the Ewen and Melling Bridges. GAP is pleased to welcome any greyhound owners to participate.

Greyhounds as Pets (GAP) is a national charity which finds homes for greyhounds after their time in racing. GAP currently adopts approximately 350 ex-racing greyhounds around New Zealand each year, but is working to increase that target to 500. To do this though, more support, funding and public recognition is needed. Daniel Bohan is happy for the opportunity to discuss both the achievements and adversities of the greyhound adoption programme with a active, interested member of government.

"Hopefully though, meeting Janet and Tony's sweet girl Bobbi, my own bouncy boy, Syrus, and all the rest of these amazing, affectionate cuddlemonsters will make more of an impression than anything I can say myself," adds Daniel.

Group walks and greyhound get togethers are a regular feature of GAP's post-adoption support and social network, helping to make greyhounds an active and visible part of the local community.

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