2025
In September 2024, Greyhounds Australasia (GA) advised that the practice of Surgical Artificial Insemination in greyhounds will be prohibited nationwide from 1 January 2026.
As part of the transition period, GA is currently developing national Transcervical Insemination (TCI) guidelines with input from leading reproductive specialists which will cover semen volume and quantity, timing of insemination and expected pregnancy success rates.
What you need to know:
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GA does not intend to introduce any regulation that would affect existing frozen semen storage or usage.
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The minimum standards for frozen semen remain unchanged at a minimum of 100 million motile sperm per breeding unit.
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Current GA breeding data analysis indicates that TCI frozen semen inseminations are achieving an overall conception rate of 76%. It is envisaged that with increased uptake of TCI, conception rates will rise.
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GA will assist in ensuring veterinarians who service the greyhound industry have the training, knowledge and expertise in the practice of TCI.
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GA will develop best practice guidelines for TCI and provide educational support and information to greyhound breeders and owners.
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GA will soon engage directly with breeders and stud masters to ensure all stakeholders are informed and supported throughout the transition.
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If you have any questions, you can contact GA via email admin@galtd.org.au or by calling 03 9548 3500 during business hours
The Greyhound Welfare & Integrity Commission wishes to advise all NSW greyhound racing industry participants that there have been confirmed cases of Canine Haemorrhagic Pneumonia (CHP) in the Central West region.
While the property has been quarantined, given the risks associated with CHP, all trainers are urged to exercise hypervigilance.
Signs of CHP include a greyhound being unwell, panting, fever, and blood from the nose and mouth.
As the time from first signs to being life threatening can be as short as 6-8 hours, if you suspect CHP it is essential to seek veterinary attention immediately. Delays of even a few hours can be fatal.
As rapid and intensive emergency treatments are required to combat CHP, please do not try to medicate cases yourself.
If you suspect your greyhound is infected, it is also imperative to report this to GWIC immediately.
If CHP is suspected it is also important to isolate these greyhounds for 14 days, and all greyhounds on the property should be scratched from trials or races pending findings.
Isolation of infected animals is effective in limiting spread. Dedicated protective clothing and equipment should be used on infected animals only, and hands must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after handling dogs.
Cleaning and disinfecting kennels regularly with good hygiene standards and increased air flow will minimise risk. Premises with infected dogs should not be used until thoroughly disinfected.
It should be noted that that co-viral or bacterial infections such as Kennel Cough can predispose a greyhound to this condition.
If you have any concerns about the health of your greyhounds, please contact the Commission’s Veterinarians on 13 49 42 or vets@gwic.nsw.gov.au
Greyhound owners and trainers across New South Wales are advised to be extra vigilant about hookworms – the most common intestinal worm to affect canines in Australia.
Canine hookworms are an intestinal parasite of the gastrointestinal tract which cause chronic inflammation to the gut tissue.
Hookworms can also cause life-threatening anaemia, death of infant and young pups, and impair a greyhound’s ability to uptake dietary nutrition, prevent a greyhound from performing at its best and leave your greyhound vulnerable to secondary infections and inflammatory disease.
Resistance to common worming treatments is becoming a significant problem in controlling hookworm especially in greyhound populations.
How do greyhounds get hookworm?
- Oral ingestion from grooming feet, sniffing faeces or contaminated soil
- Through the skin
- In utero through the mother’s placenta
- Through the mother’s milk
What are the symptoms?
- Intermittent bouts of diarrhoea (can be bloody) or soft stools
- Pale gums
- Weakness
- Weight loss
- Coughing
- Skin irritation and itching
- Dull and dry coats
How do you protect your greyhound?
- It is essential to consult with your veterinarian for advice
- Rotate and combine different worming products, using protocols advised by your veterinarian
- Prompt disposal of dog faeces
- Puppies should be administered a veterinary-approved anthelmintic product. Current recommendations for puppies are to worm them once every 2 weeks from 2-12 weeks of age, and then every 4 weeks until they are 6 months old.
- Nursing female greyhounds should be de-wormed when their puppies are dewormed
- Wash your hands frequently when around greyhounds
- Incorporating the use of faecal egg counts into your worming program is recommended to ensure the treatments used are effective.
Checking with Race Well
If you are unsure if a particular worming medication or supplement is safe to administer to your greyhound, an easy way to check is by using the free Race Well substance validator smartphone app.
Race Well has been designed as a fast and straightforward way to determine if a particular product is safe to administer to your greyhound.
To download your free copy of Race Well, click here for Android phones: https://bit.ly/3VNtsN2 and for iPhones click here: https://apple.co/3xmEAH8
How do you treat your greyhound?
- If you have reason to believe that your greyhound has hookworm, taking immediate action is vital to avoid serious symptoms
- Collect samples for faecal egg count to take to your veterinarian and administer a deworming product as advised by your veterinarian
- Disinfect greyhound bedding/toys
- Disinfect kennel surfaces
- In severe cases, your greyhound may need to be hospitalised for supportive treatment such as intravenous fluids or a blood transfusion.
If you have any questions regarding this health warning, please contact us via vets@gwic.nsw.gov.au
The Commission wishes to advise participants to exercise vigilance when using anti-inflammatory medications to treat greyhounds.
Anti-inflammatory medications are capable of having an effect on a greyhound’s body system, so are classed as prohibited to ensure fair competition, protect greyhound welfare and maintain the integrity of the sport.
Meloxicam is an anti-inflammatory drug sold under various brand names and is classed as a Prohibited Substance.
While products containing Meloxicam can be utilised in the regular care and training of a greyhound, it is essential that it no longer remains present in the greyhound’s system on race day whether for an event, satisfactory trial, or if revoking a period of incapacitation.
Please note, any use must also be recorded in greyhound treatment records.
If you are unsure if a particular medication or supplement contains Meloxicam, an easy way to check is by using the free Race Well substance validator smartphone app.
Race Well has been designed as a fast and straightforward way to determine if a particular product is safe to administer to your greyhound.
To download your free copy of Race Well click here for Android phones: https://bit.ly/3VNtsN2 and for iPhones click here: https://apple.co/3xmEAH8
If you have any questions regarding this health warning, please contact us via vets@gwic.nsw.gov.au
2024
On 1 January 2025, the Greyhound Welfare & Integrity Commission’s updated Race Day Hydration and Hot Weather Policy will come into effect.
Key changes to the policy have been made for days when the temperature is forecast to exceed 32°C at the venue at any time on the scheduled day.
In such an instance no greyhound will be permitted to race unless water is provided in race day kennels.
Updated Race Day Hydration and Hot Weather Policy FAQs
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If the temperature is forecast to exceed 32°C at a track but it is cooler when it comes time to race, does this rule still apply?
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Yes. The rule applies if the forecast is for the temperature to exceed 32°C at any time on the scheduled day.
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What happens if I don’t supply water to my greyhound in the race day kennel when the temperature is forecast to exceed 32°C?
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The greyhound will not be permitted to race. |
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If I have a water exemption for my greyhound, do I need to supply water in the race day kennel when the temperature is forecast to exceed 32°C?
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Yes. The rule applies to all greyhounds irrespective of any exemption.
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Can I scratch my greyhound without penalty when the temperature is forecast to exceed 32°C?
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Yes. Stewards may allow a greyhound to be withdrawn but any application for withdrawal without penalty must be made prior to the official scratching time of the race meeting.
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The purpose of this policy is to protect the health, comfort, safety and welfare of greyhounds with respect to their race day hydration and muzzling, and during hot weather, while ensuring the integrity of greyhound racing.
The Greyhound Welfare & Integrity Commission has issued a mandatory Standard of Conduct for the New South Wales greyhound racing industry that will help guide the sport to a more dynamic future.
The Commission’s Chief Operating Officer, Wade Birch, says that the new Standard of Conduct encapsulates the core values of integrity, respect and accountability, and makes it clear to all registered participants what is expected of them.
“We have listened to key industry stakeholders and taken feedback and it is clear that we are united in our desire to enhance a professional and pro-integrity culture,” Mr Birch said.
“We all have a role to play in creating a supportive, respectful and responsible environment and indeed the privilege of being a registered participant comes with the obligation to uphold the standards required by our rules and policies.
“The Standard of Conduct highlights our commitment to eliminate poor behaviour and promote a positive environment for all participants.”
Mr Birch also encouraged any participant who witnesses behaviour they believe to be in breach of the standards to speak up.
If you wish to report a concern, click here to view the range of available avenues.
On 1 November 2024, Greyhounds Australasia (GA) will introduce 12 new rules in addition to those relating to the removal ear tattoo requirements.
These new rules relate to breeding, prohibited and exempted substances, welfare and racing operations.
They will not only ensure that both the welfare of greyhounds and the integrity of the sport are maintained, but that there is an aligned and consistent approach across all GA jurisdictions.
The new rules can be found below.
To learn more about the removal of ear tattoo requirements, check out our FAQs below.
Protecting the health and well-being of your greyhounds doesn’t happen by accident, be vigilant.
That is the message from Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission’s Chief Veterinary Officer Tony Kuipers following the confirmation of cases of Canine Coronavirus on a property in South Australia.
While affected and in-contact greyhounds from this property have been quarantined for at least 14 days and investigations to the source of the infection are being undertaken, Dr Kuipers said it serves as a reminder of the value of good biosecurity and hygiene practices.
“Participants should always practice good hygiene methods, which include disinfection of all trailers and transport, boots, bedding, muzzles, leads and other equipment that may pose a risk of infection to other greyhounds,” he said.
“The Commission continuously monitors for any cases of Canine Coronavirus and undertakes continuous risk assessments with strict controls to be introduced if deemed necessary.”
While there are currently no reported cases of Canine Coronavirus in New South Wales, the Commission is appealing to all greyhound trainers to be vigilant in monitoring the health of their greyhounds, especially if racing in South Australia.
It is essential to isolate any infected and in-contact greyhounds for 14 days, scratch these greyhounds from any trials or races, and seek veterinary advice.
In addition, if you suspect your greyhound is infected, it is imperative to report this to GWIC via the quickest mode of communication available.
Participants should also note that Canine Coronavirus is in no way related to the strain of coronavirus COVID-19 that causes respiratory illness in humans.
Further information in regard to how to prevent the transmission of the disease, can be found on the Canine Coronavirus factsheet below.
If you have any concerns about the health of your greyhounds, please contact the Commission’s Veterinarians on 13 49 42 or vets@gwic.nsw.gov.au
On 1 July 2024, the Commission will introduce a number of new rules. These include five national rules and four local rules.
New Local Rules
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Reason |
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| LR34B Controlling body may scratch dogs on failure to comply with direction to check in |
The purpose of this local rule is to allow the controlling body to prevent a trainer nominating greyhounds if they have failed to comply with a request to check in their greyhounds as part of the Commission's traceability program for all greyhounds. |
| LR34C Deceased registered person - dealing with greyhound |
The purpose of this local rule is to make it easier for family members to manage greyhounds when a participant dies. The local rule will allow another family member who is registered, or a registered person nominated by the family, to have custody of greyhounds until a deceased person’s estate is resolved. |
| LR85C Greyhound nominated at two meetings on the same day |
This local rule will require participants who have nominated a greyhound for two events on the same day to prioritise an event that is a final or part of a series. The purpose of this local rule is to prevent the scratching of greyhounds from series or finals events. |
| LR178C Restriction on defaulters and persons disqualified, suspended or warned off |
This local rule will allow participants who are suspended to apply for an exemption that will allow them to continue some greyhound racing activities - not including racing - while suspended. |
New National Rules
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Reason |
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| GAR138 (e) Meaning of exempted substance |
This rule will add cyclosporin, tacrolimus, oclacitinib and lokivetmab to the list of substances exempt for the purpose of treating pannus under GAR138. |
| GAR139 Permanently banned prohibited substances and certain offences in relation to them |
This rule change will correct an error in the name of one prohibited substance. |
| GAR140(h) Prohibited substances subject to a threshold |
This rule will add prednisolone to the list of prohibited substances that are subject to a threshold. NSW Local Racing Rules already provide for exemption of prednisolone when used in greyhounds diagnosed with pannus; this rule will now allow a certain level of prednisolone in all greyhounds. |
| GAR146(6)(g) Therapeutic substances and screening limits - Ketoprofen |
Ketoprofen is a therapeutic substance which is a prohibited substance; this rule will introduce a screening limit for the substance which will mean if detected under the screening limit it will not be a prohibited substance. |
| GAR147(6)(d) Residue substances and residue limits - Procaine |
Procaine is a local anaesthetic which is a prohibited substance; this rule will introduce a residue limit for the substance. |