Hundreds of greyhounds will need homes when a greyhound racing ban comes into effect this August.
Tauranga-based volunteers for a greyhound adoption charity – and greyhound owners themselves – say the gentle-natured breed makes a perfect pet for Tauranga’s young families and retirees.
Greyhounds as Pets volunteers Lauren Kramer and her mother-in-law Sandy Henderson are hosting an adoption promotion day at Pet Essentials in Greerton on May 16 from 10am to 2pm.
Kramer encouraged anyone who was interested in learning more to come along.
“There’ll be a few volunteers, and we’re hoping to have a couple of adoptable greyhounds there.”
Her greyhound Marcel and Henderson’s greyhound Merc would both be there.
Kramer said greyhounds were “low-maintenance”.
Her greyhound Marcel was happy with one half-hour walk per day.
“He just loves to be out and about with you.”
Kramer said nothing fazed him. Marcel joined her at family gatherings, and he greeted every dog he met on his walks.
“I take him out and about for lunch dates.”
Kramer said she takes a travel mat for Marcel to sit on at a cafe or restaurant.
She knew nothing about greyhounds before adopting Marcel. It was her partner’s idea.
However, she had a meet-and-greet with Marcel and “just fell in love”.
“Now we’re coming up on four years together.”
Greyhounds as Pets volunteer Lauren Kramer and her greyhound Marcel. Photo / Kelly O'Hara
Henderson adopted her greyhound Merc on January 23.
She said Merc was “quite hard work in the beginning”, which was common with greyhounds.
He had not experienced urban life before. He moved from the kennel to the racetrack, then from the racetrack to the kennel.
Henderson said she teamed up with another greyhound owner near her, which helped Merc’s confidence.
“He’s really good now. He’s getting better and better with urban settings.”
Henderson said she would advise anyone who adopts a greyhound to be patient.
“It’s just a time thing. They’re not like other dogs. They haven’t experienced life outside the racetrack.”
Merc had been out of racing and in the kennels for 12 months before Henderson adopted him.
She said greyhounds become very attached to their owners.
“They need companionship.
“Retired people are probably really suitable because they’re home all day and they can hang out with their dog.”
Greyhounds as Pets volunteer Sandy Henderson with her greyhound Merc. Photo / Kelly O'Hara
Greyhounds as Pets manager Lisa Philp said the adoption service would be “doing what we’ve always done, but on a bigger scale”.
She said there were 200 or 300 dogs on the waiting list at any one time, but there would be between 1000 and 1500 when the ban took effect.
The legislation passed its third and final reading in NZ Parliament on April 2, 2026, with a 112-11 vote in Parliament. The legislation formally ends commercial greyhound racing on August 1, 2026.
Philp said the organisation needed volunteers and foster homes.
“The more dogs we have in foster, the more dogs we have available to us quickly to get into homes.”
After a dog leaves the kennels, it could take two to three weeks before it was ready to be matched with an applicant.
The process was quicker for the respective owners.
Philp said they could be matched with a dog immediately if a suitable dog was available and the applicant was ready.
The gentleness and low exercise requirement of greyhounds generally suited the young families and retirees in the Bay of Plenty, Philp said.
She intended to schedule regular adoption events in the Bay of Plenty.
Owning a greyhound
Dogs are man’s best friend – a sentiment that holds true for greyhounds.
When you adopt a greyhound, you gain a friend you didn’t know you needed.
My family had been without a pet for a few months after the death of our previous family dog. The house felt quieter, cleaner, peaceful. We couldn’t stand it.
Our last dog, a Rhodesian Ridgeback, had greyhound in him, so my mother decided to browse the dogs available for adoption on the Greyhounds as Pets website.
NZME journalist Bijou Johnson and her greyhound Art. Photo / Kelly O'Hara
As soon as she saw a picture of a brindle greyhound named Art, she knew he was her dog. It was love at first sight. We adopted him at the beginning of 2022.
Art, like most greyhounds, was nervous when we first met him at his foster home. He kept his distance, tail between his legs.
But the more time he spent with us, the more comfortable he became.
He let my mother pat him by the end of our first visit. They’ve been inseparable ever since.
Like all pets, greyhounds need attention, care, and patience.
Having spent their early years in kennels and on the race track, they don’t know anything else.
Once they leave that environment, everything is new to them. New sounds and smells, new people and places. They will be anxious and uneasy as they transition from one life to another.
But the patience a greyhound owner practises during that time will pay off.
Greyhounds are loyal, gentle, affectionate, and full of “zoomies”.
While Art won’t chase a ball, he’ll break into unexpected and brief sprints around our home – usually before dinner time.
Trying every piece of furniture in the house, and eagerly watching his dinner be dished up, are two of his signature traits.
And every time I relax my hand, nine times out of 10 it lands upon a furry head.
Bijou Johnson is a multimedia journalist based in the Bay of Plenty. A passionate writer and reader, she grew up in Tauranga and developed a love for journalism while exploring various disciplines at university. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Classical Studies from Massey University.