Official statement - greyhound welfare and exportation

13 September 2016

The Retired Greyhound Trust (RGT) has been left deeply upset by the recent disturbing images of greyhounds linked to the dog meat industry in Asia. We are saddened to hear of any animal being treated in such an inhumane and vile manner whatever their breed; especially if they have been exported from countries including the UK and Ireland, where there are laws in place to protect them, to countries which have no such laws. 

The RGT, as a charity, are dedicated to finding loving homes for retired racing greyhounds across England, Wales and Scotland, striving for a day when all racing greyhounds retire to loving homes and are treated with compassion and kindness.

If racing or retired greyhounds are being exported, for whatever reason, to countries where their welfare is compromised, this is totally unacceptable.

Lisa Morris-Tomkins, The RGT’s Chief Executive said: “The Retired Greyhound Trust exists to ensure that retired racing greyhounds are given the safe and loving futures that they deserve. The welfare and wellbeing of retired greyhounds is our number one priority, therefore it is simply unacceptable for retired racing greyhounds to be exported to countries, which do not adhere to recognised welfare standards and legislation. 

Lisa continued: “We are active members of the UK Greyhound Forum and the International Greyhound Forum and we will continue to work with partners and stakeholders to improve the welfare of greyhounds in wider society”. 

“We are doing everything that we can to care for and home retired racing greyhounds with the generous donations that we receive, but our kennels are always full and our waiting list filled with hundreds of greyhounds waiting to come into our care.”

If you think you could offer a retired greyhound a home, please visit our homing pages

Or, if you think you could offer your time and talent to the RGT, please visit our volunteering and fundraising pages.

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