Successful first year for Greyhounds As Pets

Successful first year for Greyhounds As Pets as anniversary approaches

Greyhounds As Pets (GAP) has had a highly successful first year of operation as it approaches its one year anniversary next week. In conjunction with its anniversary, it will launch its annual street appeal in Auckland and Wellington on 29 March 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."

"We've faced challenges throughout the year such as overcoming many misconceptions about the breed including that they are aggressive, need lots of exercise and aren't suited to family life. In actual fact the greyhound breed is one of the most docile dog breeds, requires very little exercise and is really willing to please so makes the perfect pet. With so many greyhounds already adopted, hopefully the message continues to filter through so that more people can enjoy the companionship of a greyhound in their homes," she said.

"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 on 29 March," she said.

Greyhound Racing New Zealand chief executive Jeremy Kennerley said that they were pleased that the programme had been so successful with so many different people around New Zealand becoming involved.

"Our trainers and owners who are submitting their ex-racers into the programme are really pleased with the professional approach that GAP has taken to rehoming dogs. It's good to know that they are not just being rehomed to anyone - but are matched in detail to their new homeowner to ensure a happy relationship."

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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