Rules and policies / Re-homing Policy
Rehoming Policy
Greyhound owners are responsible for rehoming any greyhounds that they do not wish to retain. The Commission’s Greyhound Rehoming Policy specifies the requirements that greyhound owners must meet in attempting to rehome greyhounds that are retired from, or otherwise unsuitable for, racing. Failure to meet these obligations may result in disciplinary action.
This Policy applies to all greyhound racing industry participants registered with the Commission, and to all greyhounds owned or kept by a greyhound racing industry participant. This Policy also applies to greyhound racing industry participants licensed in other jurisdictions and operating in NSW.
Greyhounds must be desexed prior to being rehomed as a companion animal. Participants may be able to access financial assistance from GRNSW to have their greyhounds desexed through the Owner Assistance Program.
Appropriate rehoming benefits the greyhound racing industry, pet owners and above all, the greyhounds themselves. In 2023, the Animal Welfare Committee developed Rehoming Best Practice Guidelines, which can be found here.
Revised Greyhound Rehoming Policy - commenced 1 May 2023
On the 1 May 2023, the Commission introduced a revised version of the Greyhound Rehoming Policy. The key changes to the policy are:
- Participants are no longer allowed to surrender retired greyhounds to a NSW or interstate facility that conducts animal research, animal plasma or blood collection.
- Greyhounds can only be rehomed to Council pounds with prior approval of the Commission.
- It will no longer be permissible to have a greyhound euthanased if rehoming attempts fail.
- A greyhound can be euthanised if it has bitten a person (with medical evidence) or it has failed a temperament assessment by a veterinary practitioner or other person approved by the Commission.
Greyhound Rehoming Policy key changes flyer
Temperament Assessment Referral form template
Temperament Assessment Report template
Greyhound applications and notifications - including forms relating to the Rehoming policy
Failure to comply with this Policy is an offence under R 86 (ag) of the Rules of Racing, and may result in disciplinary action.