Great homes for great hounds
As the racing ban takes effect, 2500 greyhounds will soon need a place to call home.
After years of controversy and mounting animal welfare concerns, greyhound racing in Aotearoa is officially coming to an end. The Government has announced that by 31 July 2026, all racing will cease, and with that decision, around 2500 greyhounds will need new homes. “Globally, the industry is winding down, with Tasmania recently announcing an end to greyhound racing,” says Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters. “The bottom line is, too many dogs continue to die and be seriously injured, and it is time to do the right thing.”
These sleek, gentle dogs are now heading from the racetrack to retirement, yet rehoming thousands of dogs in under a year is no small task. As highlighted on the runway at New Zealand Fashion Week in August (pictured), the call is out to everyday Kiwis: if you’ve ever considered adopting, now is the time.
Fortunately, greyhounds make excellent pets. Despite their athletic pasts, they’re surprisingly lazy, big on naps, low on exercise, and perfectly suited to apartment living and small urban homes. They’re known for their well-mannered, gentle nature, calm temperament, and ability to quickly bond with people.
The push to rehome follows years of damning reviews into the greyhound racing industry, culminating in the tragic 2024/25 season, where 17 dogs died, the highest number of fatalities since 2021. Among them was Opawa Justin, a two-year-old who won his final race before suffering a catastrophic injury. His story is one of many that led to the Government’s final decision to ban the industry. Just two days into the start of greyhound racing’s final season last month, a three-year-old dog named Hilton Hype died after breaking his leg.
Animal welfare groups are urging Greyhound Racing New Zealand to focus all efforts on finding a safe, loving home for every dog.
Could you give one of these gentle hounds a second chance at life?
Learn more and register your interest at greyhoundsaspets.org.nz.
