Dog lovers urged to adopt a greyhound

Most greyhounds bred for racing never make it to the track, according to Rockingham-based Greyhound Adoptions WA foster carer Toni Donnelly.

Instead, she said, they are routinely destroyed, unless they were taken in by big-hearted adopters.

But there are never enough, Mrs Donnelly said, as thousands of canines fail to impress racing industry trainers every year and waiting lists were high to get into one of about 20 local foster families.

“Greyhounds make wonderful house dogs,” she said.

“They are very enthusiastic.

Most dogs don’t make it to the track at all.

“Trainers can often tell from birth whether they have the right muscle structure.

“About 50 per cent of them are trialled briefly but then cast aside.”

Adoptions co-coordinator Mrs Donnelly said about 90 per cent of dogs bred Statewide were at risk of being euthanised, if suitable homes could not be found.

“To give them their dues, there are trainers who choose not to euthanise healthy dogs, but there aren’t many,” she said.

Fellow foster carer Roz Uren said dogs also came into Greyhound Adoptions WA care after careers in racing, often with amputated tails or broken legs or tails.

“There are about 80 waiting in kennels for foster carers,” she said.

“Dogs have to pass a temperament test to be allowed to walk muzzle-free, which is a long process — one we are lobbying to have the right to do ourselves.”

The two women are appealing to dog lovers in the Rockingham area to come forward if they can offer a temporary or permanent home to a greyhound.

Phone 0410 395 492 or 0438 601 492.