Hope Rescue is extremely disappointed that any decision on the future of greyhound racing in Wales has been pushed back to Spring 2025, continuing to leave dogs racing in Wales at significant risk of injury or death. However, we are encouraged that almost 65% of respondents to the recent consultation on animal activities were in favour of a phased ban.

Our petition calling for an end to greyhound racing in Wales closed back in March 2022 and attracted over 35,000 signatures. The majority of the Petitions Committee supported a phased end to greyhound racing. 

As a member of the Cut the Chase coalition alongside Dogs Trust, RSPCA Cymru, Blue Cross and Greyhound Rescue Wales, we have been campaigning to bring the greyhound racing to an end in Wales - and across the UK-  to stop the entirely preventable injuries and deaths of dogs involved in racing. The campaign is widely supported by cross-party Senedd Members.

According to the industry’s own figures, since 2018, more than 2,700 greyhounds have died or were put to sleep following their participating in greyhound racing around the U.K. Last year alone, 4238 dogs were injured racing. Sadly we have seen first-hand the impact of greyhound racing, having taken in over 200 greyhounds through our Amazing Greys project. This included a significant amount of dogs with life-changing, catastrophic injuries, some of which sadly had to be put to sleep.

Vanessa Waddon, Chief Executive Officer of Hope Rescue says:

“With overwhelming public and political support to the call for an end to greyhound racing in Wales, it is extremely disappointing that Welsh Government is yet to make a decision on the future of this inherently dangerous activity. At Hope Rescue we have witnessed first-hand the catastrophic injuries experienced by dogs racing in Wales.

"Welsh Government has an opportunity to put animal welfare first and fully protect greyhounds from harm, and we are still hopeful they will follow the lead of the New Zealand government who last week announced a ban on greyhound racing citing unacceptable levels of injuries and deaths.“