GBGB EXTENDS GRS DISPENSATION FOR BRITISH BRED GREYHOUNDS 

~ Promoting British breeding is a key commitment in long-term welfare strategy ~ 

As part of its ongoing drive to promote British breeding across the sport, the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) has announced a further extension of the dispensation for owners of British bred racing greyhounds when paying into the Greyhound Retirement Scheme (GRS).   

The GRS seeks to ensure the financial costs of homing a greyhound are met before it begins its racing career. Under the scheme, owners of racing greyhounds are required to contribute £200 towards their greyhound’s retirement at the same time as registering them with GBGB. When a greyhound retires and enters an approved homing centre, this money is then released and matched by GBGB to create a £400 bond which is used to cover the costs of the greyhound’s stay in the homing centre.

When the scheme was launched in September 2020, to support British breeding, GBGB announced that owners of British bred greyhounds would only be required to contribute £100 with GBGB contributing the remaining £300.  As part of its long-term welfare strategy, GBGB committed to subsidising the GRS bond further for British bred greyhounds and, as such, has decided to extend this dispensation until 2025.

Since the launch of the GRS two and a half years ago, almost £3 million has been paid to approved homing centres helping to cover the homing costs of nearly 7,500 greyhounds.  To become GRS approved, a homing centre must demonstrate they are able to provide the highest level of care for retired racers whilst they await their forever homes.

Commenting on the success of the GRS, Paula Beniston, GRS Co-ordinator, said: “Since its launch, the GRS has brought about a step-change in the way GBGB-registered greyhounds are re-homed and I know how vital the GRS payments continue to be for our approved homing centres – particularly given the challenges of the rising cost of living. I am delighted to work closely with our growing list of approved charities who do an incredible job day-in, day-out to find the right homes for our retired racers.  

“I am pleased that, through the GRS, we are able to further support British breeding which is a key commitment in GBGB’s welfare strategy.” 

The past 12 months have seen a wealth of home-grown talent on display, with more British bred greyhounds reaching the finals of Category One competitions than ever before.  Most notably, the 2022 English Greyhound Derby was won by British-bred star, Romeo Magico.

Liz Mort, Chair of the British Greyhound Breeders’ Forum (BGBF), commented:  “I am delighted that GBGB will be continuing to support British breeding in this way.  Breeders in this country face considerable challenges in rearing a litter of greyhounds from birth to their first run on the track, not least the lack of local schooling facilities. So many are involved purely because of their love of the dogs and the sport, not for financial gain. Expenses are around every corner, every step of the way, so this continued support is very welcome.”