Greyhound welfare and ensuring greyhounds have a ‘happy and healthy retirement’ should be the number one priority for the greyhound industry, according to the Irish Greyhound Board.
The IGB today presented the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust – a registered charity operated and supported by Bord na gCon – with a cheque totalling €1,839.52 from fundraising on the night of the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby Final in Shelbourne Park.
Close to 1,000 Irish retired greyhounds were rehomed to countries such as the UK, Italy, Germany, Canada, Belgium, France and Sweden in 2017, with 761 rehomed so far this year.
Retired greyhounds are also rehomed in Ireland through the IRGT and through IRGT supported Irish Rehoming Agencies.
Commenting after the handing over of the cheque, CEO of the Irish Greyhound Board, Gerard Dollard, said:
‘Greyhounds make for excellent pets and have an uncanny ability to transition to the family couch with ease. They are best known as couch potatoes, needing very little exercise or special diet. Many families with an interest in racing will keep their greyhounds into retirement. With greater public awareness, we can ensure these prized athletes get the retirement they deserve and equally bring happiness to many people’s lives.’
He added:
“The IGB’s Strategic Plan 2018-22, launched earlier this year, targeted excellence in industry standards in the areas of welfare and regulation. Welfare of greyhounds continues to be the IGB’s number one priority. Fundraising work like this continues to underline our commitment to welfare as a priority in our industry.”
The main source of funding for the Trust continues to come from greyhound racing owners, through a 2% deduction of all winning prize money which is then matched by the Irish Greyhound Board.
The Irish Retired Greyhound Trust (IRGT) [Registered Charity Number: CHY12127] was established by the IGB and is jointly funded together with greyhound owners to rehome greyhounds after retirement and in promoting greyhounds as domestic pets. Many retired greyhounds are also rehomed throughout Ireland, Europe and North America through charities supported by the IRGT.
The Irish Retired Greyhound Trust now assists the following Irish Private Rehoming Agencies by providing financial assistance towards either their veterinary costs or their transportation costs:
– PAWS, Co. Tipperary
– EMOL Rescue, Co. Limerick
– Clare Greyhound Project, Co. Clare
– Clare Greyhound Sanctuary, Co. Clare
– Great Hounds In Need, Co. Tipperary
– HUG, Co. Kerry
– All About Greyhounds, Belfast
The Irish Retired Greyhound Trust continues to source additional rehoming opportunities in Ireland, Europe and U.S. to continue to increase the number of retired greyhounds which are rehomed.
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