Help find new homes for retired racers

A MATCHMAKING event this weekend at the Ballarat Function Centre is giving people the chance to walk away with a new four-legged friend.

As part of Greyhound Racing Victoria’s Greyhound Adoption Program, 16 retired racing canines will be available for potential ownership.

The event is being organised by the Ballarat Greyhound Racing Club, whose general manager Jodie Faralla said it will be all about helping people decide whether the breed is for them.

“We’ll have experts on site to ask about various things to do with the greyhound breed and having them as pets,” she said.

“There’ll also be some previous adopters who can provide guidance and talk firsthand about their experience. There’ll also be an option to foster but we’re hoping to find forever homes.

“The dogs’ temperaments, their likes and dislikes, and personality is well-known so we’ll look at the person’s circumstances and whether the dog will be suited for their particular environment.”

Each greyhound has been desexed and defanged and undertaken assessment through the Greyhound Adoption Program.

Adoption will cost $100 and include a lead, collar, rug, and membership access to the Ballarat Greyhound Racing Club’s exercise yard.

A no-questions-asked return policy is in place should the match be unsuitable.

Ms Faralla, who’s had her greyhound Zoe for six months, said they’re a low maintenance benefit for any home.

“They’re fairly light shedders so they don’t make a lot of mess, and they’re a smart dog,” she said. “I got an extra-large doggy door put in at within the day she’d worked it all out.

“My greyhound, for example, doesn’t bark, she’s very calm and docile and sleeps for 20 hours a day. If I take her for a walk, she’s tired before I am.”

Saturday’s adoption day will run from 2pm to 3pm and to register attendance visit bit.ly/3s1shND.