Covid-19 Update - Where we're currently at
Hi all,
What an uncertain and unprecedented fortnight it has been as our industry adjusted to the Covid-19 Alert Level 4 lockdown. The team at Greyhound Racing New Zealand has been working hard to ensure that all queries are answered, additional assistance is given and all essential information is relayed to ensure our LP’s livelihoods are protected, their dogs are well cared for and they feel supported and heard.
Great Mates, Nightrave and GAP have also been working hard to ensure that the majority of greyhounds currently in the rehoming programme were adopted or fostered out before the Alert Level 4 lockdown began. The minority of greyhounds who've remained in our rehoming kennels during lockdown are being well looked after and are loving the extra attention.
The following is a list of actions we have taken to ensure all needs of our licensed persons and greyhounds (both racing and retired) are met to ensure that both our people and animals are being well looked after.
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We’ve introduced a Dog Food Financial Hardship Scheme for trainers in need to help them keep their greyhounds healthy and sustained during the Level 4 lockdown and to ensure dog food is readily accessible to them. This scheme also covers greyhounds who are on waitlists for our rehoming programme to ensure all our greyhounds are fed and accounted for.
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We called all vets associated with Greyhound Racing New Zealand to ensure they were remaining open during the Alert Level 4 lockdown to put our trainers minds at ease
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We alerted Work and Income to the challenges our LP’s were facing in applying for the wage subsidy who gave us a great resolution on how our LP’s can apply no matter how their business is structured.
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All available (green) greyhounds in the rehoming programme were placed in foster/adoptive homes for the lockdown and are safe and happy.
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All greyhounds partway through their rehoming preparation and wellbeing package supplied by Great Mates, remain in the GRNZ rehoming kennels, Nightrave training, or foster homes to continue getting one on one intensive training and vet care so that they will be ready for rehoming once the Alert Level 4 lockdown has been lifted.
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We applied and were granted permission to be an 'essential business' to ensure our staff and our trainers’ staff could continue caring for greyhounds still based in kennels (rehoming and racing) across the country. We’ve also implemented strict safety measures to reduce the risk of spread as staff continue to care for our dogs. To view our staff safety measures, click here.
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Our wonderful rehoming partners Nightrave and GAP are providing extra support, care and advice for those fostering or have adopted a greyhound.
We're currently putting steps in place to ensure our race schedules and rehoming programme are up and running as soon as we get the go-ahead.
Just a reminder that we need to be supportive and kind to one another during this time. Please remember that most New Zealanders are in the same situation and to follow advice issued from the government to keep yourselves and your wider community safe.
Thanks,
The GRNZ Team
