WELFARE AND RE-HOMING REPORT

GREYHOUND WELFARE AND RE-HOMING REPORT

BY DR GAVIN GOBLE BVSC, GENERAL MANAGER, GREYHOUND WELFARE AND RE-HOMING

VACCINATIONS FOR GREYHOUNDS

The Code of Practice requires all greyhounds to have a current C5 vaccination. Please speak to your veterinarian about when your greyhounds are next due for a vaccination and ensure your Kennel Cough vaccine is up to date. Just a reminder that the vaccination requirements for acceptance into GAP are more specific, so please check with GRV if you are planning to get a vaccination for this purpose. These requirements are also on the GAP page of this magazine. In addition to recording your greyhound’s vaccinations in its Greyhound Record, please also provide GRV with copies of your vaccination certificates for GRV to upload into FastTrack so there is a permanent record. This is particularly important if you are considering, or are already, breeding from your greyhound. These vaccination certificates are required to keep the Pink Card active.

New Breeding Exemption Application Form mandatory from 1 June 2021

GRV has released a new Breeding Exemption Application form which includes Code of Practice requirements. This new form will be mandatory from 1 June 2021. The new form replaces the two forms that were previously used (two-step submission), with a single form to be completed by both the breeder and their veterinarian (one-step submission). GRV has informed all greyhound veterinarians on the database and sent them a copy of the form. For more information on the Breeding Exemption Application process and to download the form, please visit https://greyhoundcare.

grv.org.au/breeding/breeding-restriction-exemption-

application/.

Retiring greyhounds as pets

In recent times GRV has seen a large increase in the reporting of the retirement of greyhounds as pets. While this is a very pleasing trend, GRV would like to remind participants of the following:

■ GRV is a licensed microchip registry and has legal obligations to verify new pet owners’ details before transferring the greyhound into their name. GRV therefore is required to contact every person who is reported to have adopted a greyhound (except the registered racing owner who retains their greyhound as a pet).

■ It is critical that GRV receives enough information to be able to contact the new owner and update the registry with correct details; this includes a full name, full address, email address, phone number and alternate contact (name and phone number). If the information provided is false, the matter will be

referred to the GRIU for investigation.

■ The racing rules require pet retirements to be reported to GRV within 10 days of the retirement, so retirements reported several weeks, months or years later are a breach of the rules and create issues with verifying new owner details.

■ The Code of Practice has very specific requirements regarding the retirement of a greyhound to a member of the community. Please ensure when retiring a greyhound that you are familiar with the requirements of the Code, including the mandatory paperwork you

MUST complete and submit to GRV. Visit https:// greyhoundcare.grv.org.au/rehoming/#participants.

☐ Ensure your greyhound has completed a 28day wind down.

☐ Ensure your greyhound is desexed or you have a written agreement from the adopter to undertake the desexing (this can be most easily done using the GRV Retirement forms

https://greyhoundcare.grv.org.au/wp-content/ uploads/2021/04/rehoming_package_

information_for_new_owners-form.pdf)

☐ Complete the notice of retirement (all 4 pages) and have the new owner sign pages 1 and 2.

Ensure you email the whole form to GRV at retirements@grv.org.au.

■ If you choose to report the retirement through your

FastTrack login, you still must have these forms completed and be able to produce them upon request.

Oral Health for Greyhounds

Greyhounds, like people, must have regular dental care to ensure they are healthy. The soft nature of many greyhound diets can result in a build-up of plaque and tartar on the teeth. This can lead to gum infection, tooth decay and poor oral health.

Studies have shown that humans and animals with poor oral health can su er from generally poorer overall health. High levels of bacteria in the oral cavity and decaying teeth can impact on a greyhound’s ability to eat, and a ect digestion, energy levels, muscle development and racing ability. Ensuring good oral health in your greyhounds will support their ability to race well and promote wellbeing.

GRV recommends as part of your annual health check and vaccination (mandatory under the Code of Practice) you ask your veterinarian to check your greyhound’s teeth and undertake any necessary dental treatment and implement any oral health management recommended.

GRV also recommends you regularly provide greyhounds with raw bones to help them clean their teeth naturally. Bones, particularly large marrow bones, are a great way to help with oral hygiene as well as o ering enrichment. If you cannot provide large bones, then dental chews, dry dental kibble (not moistened), and tooth brushing are alternative oral care options. Your veterinarian may have specific suggestions for your greyhound.

If you would like more information on oral health in greyhounds, including what poor oral health looks like, please visit https://fasttrack.blob.core.windows.net/

fasttrackpublic/stewardsHearing/2020/oral%20health%20 faqsd4f35f8b-cafa-4828-8289-bba80fece09d.pdf

*Subject to COVID restrictions.