FAMILY: Billy, Debbie and ‘Holly’ Martin with their adopted greyhound Barney.

GRV decision sees plea for adoptions

Written by ZOE RUDDER.

WITH the lives of almost 600 greyhounds said to be on the chopping block if the Supreme Court does not overturn the decision to close dog racing at Avian Park, a Wangaratta couple are urging locals to consider making a long limbed canine part of the family.

When Billy and Debbie Martin decided to foster a greyhound through the Greyhound Adoption Program it was only meant to be for four weeks.

Two months later and Barney, a two year old ex-racer, is well and truly part of the Martin family, having quickly gone from fostered dog to adopted dog.

"We really didn’t go into it thinking we would adopt one so quickly," Mr Martin said.

But Mrs Martin said the "gentle giant" won their hearts and they soon made the decision to keep him.

"He is just so easy going and has such a great nature," Mr Martin said.

"I think a lot of people think greyhounds are going to be a lot of hard work and need heaps of exercise but they are actually real couch potatoes."

And despite Barney’s size the couple say he is easier to manage than their other dog Holly, a jack russell.

"In the mornings Holly tends to jump up on the bed and even though Barney has a giant pillow of his own, he will get up and curl into the smallest ball so he can get into Holly’s bed once she is out of it," Mr Martin said.

And Mrs Martin said Barney walks nicely on the leash, pulling less than his smaller counterpart.

State law requires greyhounds be muzzled and kept on the lead in public, however, greyhounds that have been through Greyhound Racing Victoria’s Adopt a Greyhound Program are allowed to be in public unmuzzled after they have been through the foster program and show they are not aggressive to small animals.

"Because greyhounds have been trained to chase small animals they have to wear a muzzle before they are adopted but they are actually really placid animals and Barney is really good with kids when ever they come up to pat him," Mr Martin said.

The couple urged anyone thinking about getting a dog to consider adopting a greyhound.

"They are affectionate, well behaved, lazy and laid back - I really think they are the perfect pet," Mrs Martin said.

For more information about fostering or adopting a greyhound go to http://gap.grv.org.au.