The animals live for more than a decade after retirement and need special care to deal with life after the track
WALES is the first UK nation to announce it will ban greyhound racing, after a petition collected more than 35,000 signatures.
But what will happen to the dogs involved? And will the ban add to the number of dogs needing adoption?
Racing greyhounds typically retire between the ages of three and five but can live until they are 15. So for over a decade, they need to be cared for somewhere else.
There is only one remaining greyhound racetrack in Wales – the Valley Stadium in Ystrad Mynach. About 350 greyhounds currently race there, according to the track’s manager Malcolm Tams.
Jilly’s story
Essex Havard, of College Road in Llandaff North, is a former trustee of Greyhound Rescue Wales, the rescue and rehoming charity for greyhounds and lurchers in Wales.
He and his wife rescued their three-legged 11-year-old greyhound Jilly from GRW six years ago.
This is her story.
“When they announced a ban on greyhound racing, I’ve got to admit, I burst into tears,” said Mr Havard. “Hopefully we will be the first domino in the UK to tumble all the others.”
‘Greyhounds literally need to learn how to play’
Because of their background as racing animals, greyhounds have very specific needs that have to be addressed once they retire.
“Specialist greyhound rescue centres, they are tooled up to the breed. A greyhound never sees another breed until they retire. There can be issues with them socialising with other breeds of dogs,” said Mr Havard.
“They need to socialise, they need enrichment activities, they literally need to learn how to play.”
A lot of greyhounds need caring through their trauma.”
Essex Havard
“Tragically, a lot of them need caring through their trauma. There can be a lot of emotional issues with greyhounds,” said Mr Havard.
The RSPCA has published guidance for new greyhound owners, on how to keep their new pet happy and healthy.
Life after the racetrack
Most greyhounds go to rescue centres to be rehomed once they have left the track, according to retirement data from the Greyhound Board of Great Britain, which regulates licensed greyhound racing.
GBGB says that cost of living pressures on people who might want to take on a rescue animal has affected the number of spaces available in rehoming centres. This has led to an increase in the proportion of dogs being retained by their trainers or owners between 2022 and 2023.
‘The number of dogs that have been discarded has increased’
“Since the pandemic, the animal welfare rescue sector as a whole has experienced a major crisis,” said Malcolm Eames, a trustee of GRW.
“While the number of greyhound tracks in the UK has decreased, they are running more dogs and more frequently. A greyhound’s racing careers finishes younger than it used to. So that’s meant that the number of dogs that have been discarded by the industry has increased.”
GRW is supported by donations and money coming in via its charity shops across Wales, including one in Albany Road in Cardiff.
Manager Cat Townend, said that GRW works with other animal charities to make sure no greyhound is left homeless once the ban comes in.
“GRW take the dogs in, rehabilitate them, figure out what they need for homes. So all the money that’s raised here is going directly towards that.
“We are ready for the challenge to move forward and rehome them all,” said Ms Townend.
We are ready for the challenge.”
Cat Townend
“Greyhounds have got a really sweet nature. The public perception might be that they are just fast dogs. But they all have very distinctive personalities,” said Ms Townend.
In 2023, GRW secured new homes for 110 dogs. It has a target to reach 180 per year by 2027.
“There will be work to do in ensuring the dogs, their owners, and those involved in the industry around the racetrack, can wind down from this activity while still protecting the welfare of dogs currently within the industry, the local community and the local economy,” said Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies, announcing the racing track ban to the Senedd.
Do you agree with the ban on greyhound racing in Wales? Let us know via the poll below.
