• Coalition providing $880,000 to upgrade Wilson-Gannon adoption centre
• Funding more modern facilities for program to rehome retired greyhounds
• Napthine Coalition Government building stronger animal welfare in Victoria

The Victorian Coalition Government is providing the successful Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP)  with $880,000 to upgrade its Wilson-Gannon adoption centre at Seymour.

Representing Premier Denis Napthine in Seymour today, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Peter Walsh said the funding would provide more modern facilities for GAP to undertake its crucial work in finding happy homes for greyhounds.

“The Greyhound Adoption Program has helped to find homes for more than 5,000 dogs since it began in 1996, including a record 538 this past financial year,” Mr Walsh said.

The Victorian Coalition Government investment, made available from the Victorian Racing Industry Fund, will help to fund a range of improvements at Seymour that will include:

• a new front entrance and signage;
• 28 new day yards;
• a typical suburban backyard area to prepare the greyhounds for rehoming; and
• construction of an on-site veterinary clinic.

Nationals Candidate for Euroa Steph Ryan said the Coalition Government was proud to be the first ever government to provide funding to GAP.

“The Greyhound Adoption Program has been successful in improving animal welfare and enriching the lives of scores of families and volunteers each year,” Ms Ryan said.

“The new facilities will help the program to plan for the future, particularly as it increases in popularity.”

Liberal Candidate for Euroa Tony Schneider said that in addition to the upgrades to the Wilson-Gannon adoption centre at Seymour, pre-temperament testing facilities to ensure greyhounds are suitable for GAP will also be established at Bendigo, Geelong, Sandown and Warragul.

“The Victorian Coalition Government’s $79.5 million Victorian Racing Industry Fund, derived from unclaimed dividends and on-course wagering taxes, is critical in supporting important racing animal welfare projects such as the Greyhound Adoption Program,” Mr Schneider said.

Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) Chief Executive Adam Wallish said the funding recognised the GAP’s status as one of the most respected programs of its kind in the world.

“GRV is determined to continue to build the adoption program and bring joy to more families across the state,” Mr Wallish said.

“Finding homes for greyhounds that are no longer racing, or were never suited to racing, is a major priority for Greyhound Racing Victoria.

“The dedicated facility at Seymour has been operational since 2003 and the upgrading of the facility will help us continue to grow the program.”
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PIC: Melanie Luscombe (GAP Foster Care Coordinator), Dr Linda Beer (GRV Animal Welfare Manager), Steph Ryan (Nationals Candidate for Eurora), Peter Walsh (Minister for Agriculture) and Jenny Layton (GAP Property Manager with adopted greyhounds Casper and Trixie.
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