Greyhounds find new home

When Allan and Joan Ladlow heard what happens to greyhounds after they finish racing, they were shocked into action.

Mrs Ladlow said she and her husband watched a documentary seven years ago about retired greyhounds in Ireland, which was aired on New Zealand television by the SPCA.

"They would tie them to the railway lines if they couldn't get rid of them," Mrs Ladlow said. "We thought it was awful."

The couple now have four greyhounds living with them on their lifestyle block in Hamurana, all of which were dumped or passed on by a trainer.

Mrs Ladlow said greyhounds made great pets as they were affectionate, lazy and did not smell or moult.

About the time the Ladlows adopted their first greyhound an organisation called Greyhounds as Pets (GAP) started in New Zealand, with the aim of re-homing retired greyhounds.

Since the organisation started, 1000 greyhounds have been re-homed.

"Anyone who is starting out with greyhounds [as a pet] should get one from GAP," Mrs Laidlow said. "They do an excellent job."

Mr Ladlow said most greyhounds would start racing very young and would retire before they turned 5.

He said it was a shame so many were put down because they could live, on average, to about 15 years old.

"That was what really hit us - they do their best for you and their reward is, at 4 years old, to get their throats cut. That's not much of a reward really."

The Ladlows' four greyhounds are all named after Nordic gods including Saga, 13, Loki, 12, Freya, 7, and Thor, 4.

To find out more about adopting a retired greyhound visit www.greyhoundsaspets.org.nz.