Retired racing greyhounds are looking for a forever home at Homeward Hounds

Greyhound Adoption Program will be hosting Homeward Hounds at Townsville Showground, hoping to find retired racing greyhounds a loving home for Christmas.

Lisa Barker and Karolyn Quinn with Jack and Iris, both greyhounds are looking for their forever homes. Picture: Shae Beplate.

When Ron and Margaret Shaw first adopted Pickles the greyhound, Mrs Shaw had just received hip surgery and could barely walk 10m.

One year later, she is taking her dog on 5km walks daily.

And Mrs Shaw isn’t alone, Pickles has been in the same boat, retiring from racing with a leg injury.

“Luckily they got it all fixed and now you’d never guess she’d had anything wrong,” Mrs Shaw said.

“It’s nice that they get a second chance at life.”

Ron and Margaret Shaw with Pickles, their 4yo adopted greyhound. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Pickles is one of the many success stories of Greyhound Adoption Program, a service dedicated to finding homes for retired racing greyhounds across the country.

Lisa Barker is a GAP officer for North Queensland, and said the program works with trainers to rehome the greyhounds.

“With our new program the dogs stay with the trainers and we go out and we will assess the dogs,” Ms Barker said.

“With the assessment we introduce them to other dogs large and small, do some handling tests, and when they pass we put them up for adoption.”

GAP will host a Homeward Hounds adoption event on Saturday, helping retired greyhounds find their forever home for Christmas.

The event allows locals to view all available greyhounds, with same-day adoption on offer, letting residents take home their new friend before Christmas.

Ms Barker said events such as these teach the community about the true nature of greyhounds.

“They are an amazing breed, but they still with some people have that bad reputation of being aggressive because of their history,” Ms Barker said.

As an elderly couple, Mr and Mrs Shaw said greyhounds are the perfect dog for all ages.

“They’re the best dog. We’re in our late 70s and 80s, and people always say ‘oh you’re too old to get a dog’. No you’re not, not this type of dog,” Mrs Shaw said.

“As long as she can have her half an hour crazies in the morning, she sleeps the rest of the day or just lounges with you.”

Homeward Hounds comes after New Zealand announced a nationwide ban of greyhound racing, leaving locals wondering whether Australia will follow soon.

Ms Barker said she hopes the ban will encourage more people to consider adopting a greyhound.

“They’re very loyal, very affectionate, they are intelligent and they just want to please you,” Ms Barker said.

“Seeing these dogs go to homes and seeing them change lives, it’s pretty special.”

Ms Barker said there’s many ways to get involved even if you can’t adopt.

“If you don’t want to adopt, still come out and have a look at our beautiful dogs and learn what we do. Word of mouth is what we’re all about,” Ms Barker said.

“Come out and see us at our events, join our Facebook page, and just spread the word around how great the greyhounds are.”

Originally published as Retired racing greyhounds are looking for a forever home at Homeward Hounds