SOUTH CANTERBURY TO CELEBRATE 15 YEARS OF REHOMING CHARITY

South Canterbury greyhounds, and their owners, will take part in a global walk on Sunday to mark the anniversary of a charity close to their hearts.

The annual Great Global Greyhound Walk, starting at the Virtue Ave end of the Caroline Bay carpark at 10am, this year coincides with the 15th anniversary of New Zealand charity Greyhounds as Pets (GAP).

GAP works to rehome greyhounds after racing while raising awareness about their suitability as pets.

Timaru event co-ordinator Claire Wilkins is the proud owner of 10-year-old Gem.

“Gem has her own Instagram account because everyone got sick of me sharing stories and posts about her all the time,’’ Wilkins said.

Wilkins and her partner, their 11-year-old twins, two cats and giant rabbit had very specific requirements when it came to a canine companion.

“I joke with GAP that my application must haunt them – not only did I want a greyhound that could live with cats, but also rabbits, children and chickens.”

Gem retired from racing when she was five, and came to GAP as a welfare dog, meaning she had been rehomed, but her new owners couldn’t look after her any more, Wilkins said.

Gem – formerly known by her racing name, Laudable, ran in more than 60 races, placed in around 30 and then had a litter of pups.

Wilkins said Gem did not seem psychologically damaged by her time in the racing industry, but like most greyhounds, struggled with “normal house” things.

“She had no idea how to do stairs. We had to train her, literally one paw at a time, coaxing her up and down. Now she climbs mountains with us, so she’s certainly adapted,” she said.

Wilkins said people often wrongly assume greyhounds will be a lot of work.

“They need very little exercise – they sleep 99 per cent of the time. They have a big burst of energy, and then they’ll sleep.’’

Greyhounds as Pets expects some 500 hounds throughout the country, many in costume, to take part in Sunday’s walk.