Greyhound Racing Welfare | Animal Welfare Hub

Greyhound racing subjects thousands of dogs to injuries, intensive kennelling, and culling when no longer profitable — an industry that has faced sustained welfare criticism and declining public support globally.

Key Facts

Greyhound racing is legal in the US (6 states as of 2024), Australia, Ireland, and a few other countries — declining globally
Injury rates in racing greyhounds are substantial — fractures, muscle tears, and toe injuries are common at tracks
Racing greyhounds are typically kennelled for 20-22 hours per day in conditions that severely restrict natural behaviour
Dogs who no longer perform are at risk of being discarded — some are rehomed, some are killed, some disappear from records
Florida banned greyhound racing by voter referendum in 2018; over 40 US tracks have closed in the past decade
Ireland has faced repeated welfare crises including investigations revealing large numbers of dogs killed or exported to unknown fates
Greyhounds are gentle, social, and affectionate dogs who make excellent pets — rehoming after racing is a significant welfare opportunity
The greyhound adoption movement has placed millions of retired racers in homes, demonstrating successful welfare transition

Welfare Considerations

Greyhound racing welfare is characterised by the structural subordination of dog welfare to commercial outcomes. Injuries are accepted as an inherent part of racing; kennelling practices reflect operational convenience rather than dog welfare needs; and the fate of dogs no longer generating revenue is the industry's most persistent scandal. The decline of greyhound racing globally reflects both changing public attitudes to animal use in entertainment and the economic unviability of the industry as betting markets shift. Adoption programmes for retired greyhounds represent one of the most successful animal welfare transitions in companion animal history — demonstrating that the dogs themselves are not the problem, but the system in which they are used.

What You Can Do

Oppose greyhound racing through advocacy, not attending events, and supporting legislative bans in your jurisdiction
Adopt a retired greyhound — they are gentle, low-maintenance, and highly adaptable to home life
Support greyhound adoption and rescue organisations that rehome dogs exiting the racing industry
Advocate for mandatory track-to-home accounting for all greyhounds entering racing to eliminate disappearances from records