Over 6,000 greyhounds successfully retired through the scheme

Over £2.5 million distributed to almost 130 approved homing centres

 

Today marks two years since the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) launched its ground-breaking welfare initiative, the Greyhound Retirement Scheme (GRS).  Under the scheme, all owners of racing greyhounds must pay £200 towards their greyhounds’ retirement at the same time as registering them with GBGB.  This £200 is matched by GBGB when the greyhound enters an approved homing centre and is used to cover the costs associated with the greyhound’s stay at the centre. 

Since its launch, over 6,000 greyhounds have been retired through the GRS with over £2.5 million distributed to nearly 130 approved homing centres across the country.   To become approved, homing centres must meet certain standards to ensure that any greyhound staying with them is suitably housed and cared for.

To mark the two year anniversary, GBGB has been sharing successful GRS homing stories from its growing network of approved homing centres.  Whilst many of these centres had long-established relationships with GBGB and individual stadia, through the GRS, GBGB has been able to reach out to new homes which had never previously catered for greyhounds. 

Commenting on the GRS’s success so far, Paula Beniston, GRS Co-ordinator at GBGB, said: “It’s fantastic what has been achieved in two years and I am so pleased the GRS has been able to facilitate the homing of so many greyhounds.  Owners frequently tell me how relieved they are that the GRS ensures that their greyhounds’ future retirement is safe and secure.  Likewise, the GRS bond makes a real difference to homing centres who are now having to contend with the rising cost of living. These centres are fantastic places run by wonderful volunteers and I am proud that through the GRS we are able to support them.”

Mark Bird, Chief Executive of GBGB, said: “The launch of the GRS was a real watershed moment for our sport and has transformed the way our ex-racers are homed.  Introducing schemes like this is never easy but Paula has done a superb job working with owners and brokering excellent partnerships with homing centres across the country.

“We look forward to building on the success of the GRS as we implement our long-term welfare strategy, ‘A Good Life for Every Greyhound’ which seeks to maximise the care racing greyhounds receive throughout their lives.”