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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 29th July 2024
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Advice pack launched for adopters of retired greyhounds
The Welcome Pack is available online as well as from GBGB-approved homing centres.
GBGB hopes the pack will help dogs transition to retirement.

A welcome pack to support people adopting retired racing greyhounds has been launched by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB).

The pack contains advice on how to support their transition to living in a domestic environment as well as their ongoing care, including how to deal with issues such as osteoarthritis and separation anxiety. It also includes general information about the breed and its history.

The new pack is part of efforts by GBGB to optimise the welfare of the animals involved in greyhound racing through its long-term welfare strategy, ‘A Good Life for Every Greyhound’. The sport has received criticism from animal welfare charities in recent years, including calls for it to be banned from the RSPCA, Dogs Trust, and Blue Cross.

The pack is available on the GBGB website and has been sent to all homing centres approved by GBGB’s Greyhound Retirement Scheme (GRS).

It is a requirement for all greyhounds registered at GBGB-licensed tracks to take part in the scheme, which has supported more than 11,000 greyhounds to find a home after retiring from racing.

Paula Beniston, GBGB welfare manager, said: “Our ambition is that every greyhound leaving our sport goes on to enjoy a happy, healthy retirement after their career on the track.

“We hope that this literature is useful for our approved homing centres to share with new owners and will complement the excellent advice and ongoing support they already supply to ensure successful retirement placements.

“This is the first stage of our aim to increase the breed-specific advice and support offered to owners of retired greyhounds.

“We will continue to add to this Welcome Pack and, in time, we hope to develop this into an online support platform which will be a central information point for anyone welcoming an ex-racer into their home.”

Image © Shutterstock

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.