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16 March 2023

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Happy birthday GAP, we’re proud of you.

Happy birthday GAP, we’re proud of you.

March 17 marks the 27th anniversary of the founding of Victoria’s Greyhound Adoption Program, which is a significant milestone for the welfare of former racing greyhounds, and probably the most successful greyhound re-homing service in the world.

In 1997, two veterinary nurses from Sandown Park, Mel Tochner and Anita Smith, saw the need to find retirement homes for the dogs they cared for at the track.

Mel and Anita realised that most racing dogs retire at around four or five years of age; probably only a third of their life.

The continued success is the tangible result of Greyhound Racing Victoria’s welfare priority; that racing dogs are promised a happy retirement.

From these humble beginnings, the world’s most successful greyhound adoption program was born. GAP now regularly finds homes for up to 1000 greyhounds every year and assists other adoption agencies reach double that figure.

Apart from the successful promotion of the greyhound as a pet, particularly suitable for urban living, the program has been the catalyst for a whole community of like-minded greyhound owners who have formed walking groups and social media assemblies where may new friends have been made. The sheer volume of images of greyhounds in silly poses that adorn the internet is staggering; not to mention wildly funny…

The secret is out. The greyhound is now on ‘next pet’ lists throughout Australia and regularly appears on ‘most popular’ breed lists, thanks to their beautiful nature and the work of people like Mel, Anita and the hundreds of volunteers and staff members who have dedicated themselves to the breed.

Here’s to GAP. 27 years young, many more happy retirements to come.

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Meet our dogs ready for adoption

All greyhounds adopted from GAP are de-sexed, vaccinated, microchipped, wormed and health checked.

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Toblerone

3 years old

Meet Toblerone—a delightful burst of sweetness wrapped in a lively, playful greyhound package. True to her name, she’s a little piece of joy that’s impossible to resist, full of enthusiasm and always ready to sprinkle fun into your day. Toblerone is incredibly affectionate and thrives on connection, often seeking eye contact as if she’s sharing her excitement directly with you. She rarely stands still for long, preferring to bounce from one happy moment to the next, bringing her puppyish charm and goofy energy wherever she goes. Having completed behavioural rehabilitation training, she’s ready to channel all that zest into a loving, dedicated home. Toblerone will do best with adults or families with children aged 10 and over who can keep up with her energetic, excitable nature—she’s not suited to elderly handlers. She must be the only dog or live with a medium-to-large companion, and she isn’t suitable for homes with small dogs or cats. Apartment living isn’t the right fit for this active girl, as she’ll thrive in a home where she has space to burn off her playful energy. She has had a previous injury to her right foreleg and it's stable. She will benefit with joint supplements in the future. If you’re looking for a fun-loving, affectionate companion who’s equal parts sweet and spirited, Toblerone might just be your perfect treat.
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Scout

5 years old

Scout is a handsome blue boy with a quiet, gentle nature. He’s sweet and a little introverted, happy to take things at his own pace. He can be a little submissive at times but is also independent. One of his cutest quirks is his adorable helicopter tail wags. Scout may suit a home on his own or with small, medium or large dogs, and could be suitable to live with children aged 5+. He may also be suited to apartment living or an elderly owner. Scout has a tiny chip of bone in his left hock that requires no treatment right now and doesn't stop him from moving freely. He will benefit having some arthritic supplements over his lifetime in the home.
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Jagger

4 years old

He's got the moves like Jagger, he has the swag like Jagger but we think our Jagger is much more handsome! This friendly, outgoing and affectionate young lad is ready for his forever home and we cant wait for him to find it. If you have wanted a fun, happy go lucky dog then Jagger is your man. He may suit homes with or without another medium or larger canine friend and children 10 and over. He may also suit living with full time workers (more time to work on his next big hit)! Like many of our greyhound friends, Jagger has a longer top jaw, so he will benefit from regular dental check ups with his vet.
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Buddy

2 years old

Buddy is the kind of dog who enters a room and instantly makes it brighter — a big, handsome, boofy boy with a personality to match his size. Friendly, outgoing, and brimming with confidence, he approaches life with boundless enthusiasm and a happiness that is utterly contagious. Excitable and boisterous, Buddy is not what you’d call a wallflower — standing still is simply not in his vocabulary — but his joy is so genuine and so exuberant that it’s impossible not to smile in his presence. Throw in a tasty treat or a favourite toy and you’ll have one very happy boy on your hands. Buddy is a dog who needs space to match his enormous energy and even bigger personality, so a home with a backyard is a must — somewhere he can zoom, bound, and burn off that glorious enthusiasm of his. He will thrive with an active family who can match his zest for life and keep him engaged, stimulated, and loved. In return, Buddy will bring laughter, liveliness, and a whole lot of heart to whoever is lucky enough to call him theirs. Buddy may suit living with or without a canine likeminded friend of similar size and children aged 10 years and older.
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Rocky

5 years old

How pretty is Rocky? He has the whole world in his paws with hat adorably cute head tilt! Rocky is a very friendly, outgoing and confident boy who loves treats and is happy to hang out with his people. He can be enthusiastic at times when playing with other dogs so he may be better suited to a home with a robust medium or large canine companion, or may even suit living as an only dog. He may be happy living with children aged 10+ and full time workers.
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Josie

9 years old

Josie’s has just come back from a vacation far away and ready to settle into her new forever retirement home! She is so sweet, affectionate and still plenty of life in her. We think she may suit living with other male dogs medium or larger and children 10 and over. She may also suit living as an only dog and with full time workers.
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Zoodles ARP

4 years old

Zoodles is a friendly, confident girl with a sweet, affectionate nature, she loves treats and being silly. One cool fact about Zoodles is that she is sporting a very cute mohawk on the back of her neck (she wants to be a punk rocker!). She’s personable and still has a touch of puppyish charm, making her a lovely mix of gentle and playful. Zoodles may suit living on her own or another playful dog of any size and could be suitable for a home with children aged 10+. We think an active family with some space to run around will be her pawfect home.
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John

5 years old

Meet John—a friendly, outgoing greyhound who greets life (and everyone in it) with confidence and enthusiasm. This affectionate boy thrives on companionship and loves being part of the action, whether it’s joining you for a walk or relaxing by your side at the end of the day. John’s bright, social nature makes him a joy to be around, and he has successfully completed behavioural rehabilitation training, setting him up to transition smoothly into a committed and understanding home. John is best suited to adults or families with children aged 10 and over who can match his confident personality. He is not suitable for elderly handlers. He would do best as the only dog, or potentially with a medium-to-large canine companion, but he cannot live with small dogs or cats. With the right environment and guidance, John will reward his new family with unwavering loyalty, affection, and plenty of happy moments.
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Rose

7 years old

Meet Rose, a sweet and affectionate greyhound who proves that age is just a number. This lovely girl has a wonderfully puppyish spirit, bringing bursts of joyful zoomies and an enthusiasm for life that’s impossible not to smile at. Rose adores human connection, happily seeking out attention and soaking up affection wherever she can. Her gentle nature is paired with a playful spark, making her a beautiful blend of calm companion and lively best friend. She’s completed behavioural rehabilitation training, focusing on learning appropriate behaviour around other dogs, and continues to flourish with positive guidance. Rose is looking for an active home with adults or kids aged 10+ who can match her zest for life and give her outlets for both play and relaxation. She would do best as the only dog or with a medium-to-large canine companion, but she isn’t suitable for homes with small dogs or cats. Due to her energy and enthusiasm, she’s not the right fit for elderly households. With love, structure, and an engaged family, Rose will reward you with affectionate cuddles, happy zoomies, and a heart full of devotion.
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Muffin ARP

3 years old

Muffin is a delightful burst of joy wrapped in a pretty greyhound package. Sweet, friendly, and wonderfully outgoing, she approaches life with bright enthusiasm and a wagging tail that never seems to stop. An affectionate and personable girl, Muffin loves making eye contact and clearly wants to please, forming quick and meaningful connections with everyone she meets. Her puppyish nature shines through in her playful antics and excitable spirit, making her an absolute delight for those who enjoy a lively and affectionate companion.

Muffin would thrive in a home that can match her energy and embrace her extroverted personality. She may suit living with or without a robust, playful canine companion of similar size and would do well with children aged 10 years and older. With her love of running and playing, Muffin will be happiest in a home with a backyard where she can stretch her legs and burn off her joyful energy. For anyone seeking a fun-loving, devoted, and engaging companion, Muffin is ready to fill your days with laughter and affection.

Muffin is a part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). We have behavioural and healthassessed this lovely dog, and they will remain with their racing owners untilthey find an adoptive home, at which point they are brought back into GAP. Thismeans that should you be interested in adopting this dog, we are bringing thedog into GAP on the understanding that you will be adopting this particulardog, and no other dogs currently in our care.

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