Aussie exit for Brooklyn
DOG SAVERS ON A MISSION
Charis Chang
A KILLARNEY Heights couple hope animal lovers will support a campaign to rescue a greyhound from a dog track in China.
Janet and Peter Flann of Sydney Greyhound Rescue, are part of an international campaign to help racing greyhounds in Macau.
Mr Flann said 383 greyhounds were killed last year at Macau’s Canidrome, according to news reports.
The Canidrome is China’s only dog track and its dogs are former racing greyhounds from Australia.
The dogs are killed when they are no longer profitable or are injured, he said, and the track does not have an adoption program.
“This is one of the Australian dog racing industry’s dirty little secrets, and needs to be revealed,” Mr Flann said. “Decent Australians should be ashamed of their country’s involvement in this matter.”
In an effort to raise awareness of the problem, Greyhound Rescue is joining with other non-profit organisations in an attempt to rescue a single greyhound from the Canidrome. Brooklyn is a two year old white, red and fawn greyhound currently racing at the facility.
“The effort to rescue Brooklyn is a test case,” Mr Flann said.
Last month GREY2K USA sent a letter to the Canidrome, asking for its cooperation to return Brooklyn to Australia. If the track agrees, Greyhound Rescue will rehome him.
Greyhound Rescue is a non-profit organisation run by Mr and Mrs Flann.
For more information go to RescueBrooklyn.org
Source: Manly Daily December 2011
Around the traps
Meanwhile Maitland Nursing Home, near Newcastle, has found another way to bring joy and companionship to residents – by adopting a retired racing greyhound.
The home’s director of nursing, Julie Hughes, announced last week that an eight-year-old greyhound named Butch had been accepted on a permanent basis after passing a three-month trial period “with flying colours”.
“Butch brings joy into the lives of our residents, especially those who don’t get many visitors,” Ms Hughes said. “If you’re a dog lover, you know how they create happiness in everyday life.”
Butch came to the home through Greyhound Rescue, an organisation that tries to find new homes for former racing dogs to save them from being put down.
The coordinator of the service, Peter Flann, said that greyhounds actually make very good pets, contrary to the common impression of them as high maintenance.
“Greyhounds are generally gentle, calm and rarely bark. They are ideal for people who don’t want a highly active dog,” Mr Flann said.
“Many people think because they are racing dogs, greyhounds need lots of exercise. In fact, greyhounds are couch potatoes. They only need one 30-minute walk a day.”
Source: Australian Ageing Agenda November 29th 2011
Greyhounds being rescued
A retired couple on the Northern Beaches are putting their heart and soul, as well as their savings, into rescuing discarded greyhounds and rehoming them across the peninsula and further afield, as Gillian Currie found out.
Janet and Peter Flann have been rescuing greyhounds for more than four years. Their home in Killarney Heights is given over to the animals and their days are full of caring for these unwanted dogs or planning events to help raise cash to pay for their care.
With around 45 dogs being sheltered at the moment, the caring side of their nature is certainly costing the couple dearly. While they have a few dogs in their home, in addition to three of their own, they pay to kennel the others.
“I feel so sorry for the dogs when they come to us, that’s why we take so many. One of our dogs, Freckles, was at the pound when Peter went to collect another dog and saw her. He said to me, ‘I just looked into her eyes and couldn’t leave her’. And so we keep taking the dogs,” says Janet.
She says greyhounds are loving, gentle animals that, contrary to popular belief, don’t need a lot of exercise. “ I would rather have six or seven greyhounds than one Maltese. Greyhounds are 40 miles per hour couch potatoes. Other dogs yap and bark but greyhounds are so gentle and timid. All they want is a basket or a couch to sleep on, they are very undemanding dogs, “ she explains.
Janet has been involved in dog rescue for many years, first in the United Kingdom then in Australia. She has worked at animal sanctuaries and fostered dogs of all shapes and sizes.
But when 34 greyhounds were left abandoned following a cruelty case in Sydney four years ago, this couple’s job really began in earnest.
“We had to borrow $10,ooo against our house and had to rehome all the dogs. We did it in about nine months. The dogs were in kennels and we were financing that. But what else can you do?” adds Janet.
Greyhound Rescue has a no kill policy and checks out every home before allowing a dog to go there. The dogs have been homed in Bligola, Collaroy, other areas of NSW, Queensland and one dog even went to Singapore. Janet and Peter collect dogs from the pound, and also trainers take dogs that have finished racing to the pair. However, no-one pays for the service and Janet and Peter, both in their 70s, rely on donations and what they can raise through events. In addition, they have now borrowed a total of $30,000 to pay for all the services the greyhounds need.
“Most of the dogs come to us in a very poor state; they are often frightened to death of people and very timid. Their teeth are usually in a very poor state of repair and that can cost a lot of money to fix. They often have fleas and we treat them for heartworm too.” Janet says one dog came with burst eardrums while another had a builder’s staple in her foot.
Before the dogs are rehomed they are given a clean bill of health as well as being microchipped. The dogs are often only four-years-old but their racing career has ended and they are no longer ‘needed’.
Others that are found unsuitable for racing are even younger and yet greyhounds can live to about 15 years.
Peter says, “We have top accept there are some good owners who care what happens to their dogs but mainly the dogs are seen as ‘disposable assets’. They are an asset in a business and when they are no longer of use they are gotten rid of.”
Greyhound Rescue is a registered charily and urgently in need of donations and foster carers for dogs.
Contact: www.greyhoundrescue.com.au or 94530602
Source: Peninsula Living November 2011
Dog rescuers’ funding crisis
John Morcombe
GREYHOUND Rescue and other dog-homing services struggle to find homes for the ever increasing number of discarded animals. Peter Flann said he and his wife Janet handle about 100 greyhounds a year and are able to find homes for them on average once a week.
“Even so, we’ve got 40 dogs with us now” he said. Late last month the Flanns found a home for one greyhound in Singapore where a local couple who had previously rescued a whippet from England wanted to do the same for a greyhound.
“We’re desperate for funds and for more carers, “Mr Falnn said. “Most charities are doing it hard at the moment. We’ve got some carers but not enough. There are other dog rescue groups in Sydney but all of us combined can’t keep up with the number of unwanted dogs.”
Mr Flann said greyhounds can have litters of up to 12 pups, of which only one might be raced. Even dogs that are raced only do so until they are about four years old. “That’s the equivalent of a 30-year-old rugby player.”
For information about Greyhound Rescue or to be a carer call 0412 562 104 or visit www.greyhoundrescue.com.au.
Source: Manly Daily October 15th 2010.
Tinsel, Dasher need a home
FORMER veterinary student Justine Ruszczyk was so touched by the story in Undertow about greyhounds rescued from being destroyed, that she offered to foster two of them – Tinsel and Dasher.
“There is a huge misconception about greyhounds – that they’re aggressive and need lots of exercise,” she said. “But they’re lovable and they’re sprinters 20-30 minutes a day and they’ll lie around for the rest.” It is estimated that up to 45,000 greyhounds a year are destroyed – not all humanely, some are even just shot in the bush – to gain the few that are used for the racing industry.
“They’re really just a tall staffy,” Justine said. Justine, a Dymocks bookstore manager, described the greyhound as a great family dog. “They love lying around on bean bags,” she said. “Their favourite position is with their legs in the air.” Unfortunately Tinsel and Dasher are unable to live at Justine’s dad’s house at Freshwater and are looking for a “forever home”. “Tinsel is an eight-year-old female who was used as a breeding dog, producing litter after litter until she reached the end of her useful breeding life. Her son Dasher is a three year-old who just wasn’t fast enough,” Justine said. “Ideally they will find a home together as they have been together all of their lives.”
If anyone can help by adopting these beautiful dogs contact Justine at Dymocks, Warringah Mall, or visit greyhoundrescue.com.au.
Source: Manly Daily March 2nd 2010.
And soon they’ll be off
Rebecca Woolley
TABLE-TOP dancers will be stripping to help the plight of surrendered greyhounds at a Sydney gentleman’s club, after the owners of a Killarney Heights rescue service feared it may have to close down due to lack of funds. Janet and Peter Flann, who run Greyhound Rescue, contacted the club, Pure Platinum, after reading a story in The Manly Daily about a similar offer made to Monika Biernacki’s Doggie Rescue at Ingleside. While Ms Biernacki turned down Pure Platinum’s proposal in May, the Flanns said they were happy to take it up on the offer. The couple, who are both retired and in their late-60S, run the greyhound rescue operation from their home but said they may have to close down next year unless donations picked up. “The outgoings are far greater than the incomings. Our reserves have almost run dry.”
They have rescued 22 greyhounds from death row since March and last year spent between $20,000 and $30,000 on running the service including vet bills, kennel fees and getting each dog ready to be fostered out.
Rob Batchelor, who runs Pure Platinum, said a percentage of the door takings, from a November 19 performance, would go towards Greyhound Rescue.
Source: Manly Daily November 7th 2009.
Gone to the dogs
GREYHOUND racing is a popular sport in Australia with thousands of keen gamblers having a punt each week, but animal welfare organisations claim there is a darker side to the industry. REBECCA WOOLLEY reports.
WHILE greyhound racing does not, have the glitz and glamour seen at the Melbourne Cup this week, it still attracts many fans and a $35 million annual turnover. The elegant, streamlined animals are bred for the sport, with successful ones making it on to the race circuit before retiring aged three, four or five. But for greyhounds that don’t take an interest in racing, can’t run fast enough or are prone to injury the outlook is uncertain.
Janet and Peter Flann, of Killarney Heights, run Greyhound Rescue and take in dogs who are surrendered to pounds or no longer wanted by their owners. Some are found in poor condition and one greyhound named Holly had to have 20 teeth out because they were rotten. Another was rescued with staples in its foot from a laceration which was not treated properly and resulted in part of the animal’s foot being removed.
Mrs Flann said some greyhounds were artificially inseminated and could give birth to 14 puppies – although the average is around six – who, if they were lucky, would be trained to race.
Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) said 5000 pups were named each year and 1389 individual races were expected to take place during the 2008/2009 season at the state’s 35 tracks. But the exact number of greyhounds bred each year in NSW is unknown as the industry is self-regulated.
Jaki Wallbank, secretary of the Greyhound Adoption Program NSW, said there were probably around 9000 bred annually but many pups would not even be registered. “A lot of dogs do not ever get to the track at all,” she said. “They could be too small, not fast enough, not interested in the lure or they get an injury - injuries to their foot are very common – and are not suitable for racing. Even if they are very successful race dogs, their career would only last until they were five-years-old.”
The northern beaches resident said there was little information about greyhound breeding numbers in NSW and even less detail about how many were destroyed each year.
“Information is not generally made available to the public,” Ms Wallbank said. “There is paperwork that’s supposed to be filled in when a trainer gets rid of a dog whether he sells it to another trainer or gives it away as a pet. I do not think people fill in these forms diligently. You cannot find out how many dogs are euthanised. Dogs in a litter that are clearly not going to be suitable for racing or are the result of an accidental mating and the trainers do not want to use them, these individual dogs might not ever be registered anywhere.”
Ms Wallbank said the program only rehoused former race dogs given to them by trainers and found new homes for about 50 greyhounds a year. “We are not a rescue service which takes dogs off death row,” she said. She said her foster carers from across NSW took in former race dogs, which were often puppy-like, and did not have household skills so needed to be taught not to chew shoes or “wee on the floor” . “The purpose of foster carers is to teach that dog how to live in a home environment,” Ms Wallbank said.
The adoption program raises awareness about greyhounds and their suitability as family pets by attending events including Manly Council’s Dogs Day Out and the Easter Show to help find them permanent homes.
“People tend not to think of greyhounds as pets, they think of them as race dogs,” Ms Wallbank said. “When we go to these displays people are very surprised to see what the dogs are like. They are calm, affectionate and interested in people.”
Brent Hogan, chief executive of GRNSW, said an animal welfare policy had been introduced outlining the standards of “care and management for each stage in the life cycle of a greyhound. The welfare of all animals is a primary concern for GRNSW and for all participants in the sport of greyhound racing,” he said.
“The Australian Rules of Greyhound Racing and the animal welfare policies of GRNSW regulate the activities of participants in the industry.”
Before a trainer was licensed, stewards inspect their premises and kennels to ensure they were able to competently care for greyhounds and conduct follow-up checks.
Mr Hogan said GRNSW launched the Greyhound as Pets program in May 2008 to improve animal welfare in the industry by providing dogs with a “career change” if they were not suited or ready to retire. “The greyhounds are put through a series of tests to make sure they are suitable to become pets and then fostered out for six weeks,” he said. “Once they have completed the foster program they are then adopted out into permanent homes.”
For charity-based services such as Greyhound Rescue, the cost of caring for surrendered puppies – obtained from pounds across the state and saved from being put down – are high.
Mrs Flann said last year the couple spent between $20,000 to $30,000 rescuing greyhounds in kennel fees and a further $250 getting each dog ready to be fostered. This involved having them desexed, microchipped, vaccinated, tested for heartworm and injected in addition to any necessary medical or dental work. The charity relies on donations but most of the bills were tooted by the couple and Mrs Flann said she feared they would not be able to continue past February next year. So far they have rescued 22 greyhounds since March and Mrs Flann said she knew of a veterinary practice which euthanised on average around 45 dogs a week.
It is not just in NSW where the practice of euthanising greyhounds occurs. Veterinary nurse Elle McCall, from Victoria, was horrified after securing work as a locum at a local clinic with a high volume of greyhound patients. Ms McCall said she witnessed dogs that “could not run fast enough” being euthanised. “These amazing and beautiful greyhounds were only, on average, one and-a-half-years-old.”
Of course, it is not just greyhounds needing good homes and with Christmas just around the corner other animal welfare groups are bracing for the Influx of unwanted pets. Many cats, dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs are surrendered each week and statistics from the RSPCA show about 50,000 cats and dogs were euthanised each year.
Source: Manly Daily November 7th 2009.
Have you ever thought about adopting a greyhound?
What would you say if I told you that every year tens of thousands of dogs are exploited for profit in the name of ‘entertainment’ and consequently sentenced to death. That the average life expectancy of this breed of dog is 12-14 years but that thousands only live a quarter of that time or even less. That most of these graceful, trusting dogs are euthanized at the age of 1-2 years because they run a second too slow! Just how do we, as animal lovers, condone what happens to the gentle, beautiful greyhound?
Greyhounds are quiet, affectionate dogs who love to be with you. They are sociable and generally get on well with other dogs and animals, including small dogs and sometimes even cats! They are ‘couch potatoes’ who don’t need a lot of exercise. A ‘zoomie’ across a field and they are happy to sleep on the couch for the rest of the day! They don’t bark much, don’t need a lot of grooming and don’t shed hair. They don’t even have a doggie smell! Good around children they make wonderful family pets and yet …
Where do the thousands of greyhound puppies go when they have been bred for the Greyhound Industry and fail to meet the standards every year? Why are so few greyhounds rehomed? And why are greyhounds in Australia the first dog of choice in research laboratories around the country? Many dogs are abandoned with little hope of finding a home even though they make faithful pets and loving, gentle companions.
Meet Janet & Peter Flann who run Greyhound Rescue, a small non-profit group operating on the Northern beaches. Janet says “We adopted two greyhounds of our own and it was then that we became involved in rescuing and saving a number of greyhounds in trouble and this was the beginning of our real ‘love affair’ with greyhounds. We, with other rescue groups, try to save as many greyhounds as we can when they have finished their racing career, or failed to start one, and end up in pounds destined for Rainbow Bridge. At the moment we have four greyhounds at our home, three with foster carers (DESPERATE for foster carers) and eight more in paid kennels. All are currently seeking their ‘forever’ homes.”
Holly: It is so sad that dear Holly, 5 years, has never been loved. So gentle, she is even good with cats!
Chloe: When she was of no further use to her trainer, Chloe was dumped in the Pound. At 5 years of age, she is a beautiful greyhound, not only in looks but in temperament as well. She is easy going, affectionate and loves attention. Chloe has been known to climb on the back of an armchair to get closer to someone!!
Meggie: Also dumped in a Pound but perhaps the circumstances were rather different as we have papers for Meggie and she has a famous Sire. She was lucky to be released from a lifetime of breeding! A really stunning red fawn, 4 years, she is as affectionate as any greyhound but also has a mischievous side to her character and likes to play. She is wonderful with dogs, both large and small and walks well on a lead.
Holly, Chloe & Meggie are desexed, micro chipped, vaccinated, heartworm free and will cost $250 each.
Sadly Janet & Peter cannot take any more greyhounds until they have been able to rehome or foster a few of their current dogs. Like to meet Holly, Chloe or Meggie (or any other available reyhounds)?
Please phone Peter on 9453-0602 or mobile 04 12562104 or email: peterflannuioptusnet.com.au
Source: Monika’s Doggie Rescue August 2009.
Love is a greyhound
Janet and Peter Flann of Greyhound Rescue run a private shelter for unwanted greyhounds that have been discarded, usually by greyhound racers.
Greyhound lovers Janet and Peter Flann of Greyhound Rescue is a small non-profit group run by the dedicated English-born husband and wife team. They are desperately seeking homes for the many greyhounds they regularly rescue. Currently in their care are close to 20 greyhounds, many of whom have been rescued from appalling conditions.
“Quite often we get them dumped on us from callous greyhound racers who have used them for racing but once they have outlived their usefulness, they don’t want to care for them anyrnore,’ Janet says.
“Unlike in the UK where there are strict regulations for greyhound trainers to take responsibility for their dogs once they have passed their “use-by date”, in Australia there are no such requirements.
With no government funding, Greyhound Rescue relies heavily on the help of generous volunteers and donations.
“We are largely self-funded, frequently covering costs for food, kennels and vet bills from our own pocket:’ says Peter. “Today, we have 13 gorgeous greyhounds in need of a loving, forever home. Six of these are in paid kennels, each costing us $100/week so you can see it gets quite expensive.
“Many people think greyhounds are savage but this couldn’t be further from the truth:’ he says. “Greyhounds adapt very well to family life and make great pets. They are very gentle and affectionate, need very little exercise, don’t bark much, lose very little hair and don’t have that doggy smell.”
“If readers can help by either fostering or adopting one of our greyhounds, by sponsoring one of the kennels, or sponsoring food or vet bills it will make all the difference,” Janet says.
Greyhound Rescue is able to receive tax-deductible donations. For more information, contact Janet and Peter Flann at Greyhound Rescue on (02) 9453 0602 or mobile 0412 562 104 or visit www.greyhoundrescue.com.au
Source: Sydney Observer July 2009
Help! They have done their dash
THESE lovable pooches need somewhere to call home now that they are no longer needed as racing animals. Janet and Peter Flann have 10 gorgeous greyhounds they have rescued and are now looking for people who will appreciate them for what they are: funloving, frisky companions.
How can any dog lover refuse?
Their charity Greyhound Rescue purchases greyhounds on death row after the racing industry has dumped them. You can get in contact with the organisation at greyhoundrescue.com.au
Source: Manly Daily June 20th 2009.
Survival race goes to wire
Emma Lovett
BILGOLA Plateau resident Monique Branch never thought she would adopt a former racing dog. But when she first set eyes on Carlo the greyhound she just had to take him home. Carlo is a three-year-old greyhound who needed somewhere to call home when he retired.
“He’s the most gentle.soft, gorgeous, beautiful dog. He gets on really well with other dogs and is slowly gaining confidence,” she said. “People think that greyhounds need a lot of exercise but all they need is a short walk. The rest of the time they just like lying around,” she said.
Monique found Carlo through Killarney Heights man Peter Flann, who works tirelessly to rescue greyhounds before they are euthanised when their racing career is over.
“If the trainers don’t want to take their dogs to GAP (Greyhound Adoption Society) they take them to the pound. They only have seven days until they’re euthanised,” he said.
Mr Flann, who has 18 greyhounds in his care, said: “The general public don’t realise what beautiful dogs they are.”
He desperately needs help, so if you can provide a permanent home, foster home or make a donation contact him on 9453 0602 or 0412 562 104 or email peterflann@optusnet.com.au.
Source: Manly Daily March 14th 2009.
Fastappeal
North Shore couple desperately tries to raise funds for greyhounds.
REPORT CHRISTlNE- PAUL
Janet Flann and husband Peter are a couple devoted to dogs and their welfare, a fact self-evident at their KilIarney Heights home which abounds with canine friends that have been rescued. Right now Janet is desperately trying to raise funds for surgery on one of the dogs, Maxi, who became an addition to the Flann household after his owner was killed in a road accident.
“Maxi is in urgent need of an operation on his eyes,” Ms Flann said.” The vet said that the operation would cost around $3000, but he also said that we could probably get a 50 per cent discount. Even so, it’s still a big sum to cover.”
To raise money the Flanns have been running market stalls and selling donated goods. “People generally have been very kind,” Ms Flann said. “However we are also trying to raise funds for the Sydney Greyhound Rescue Centre, which takes dogs from death row at the pounds and gives them a new chance at life.
“The centre is looking for a permanent property to lease, preferably an ex-greyhound facility with reasonable rent.”
The centre is struggling to meet food and vet bills, flea and worm treatments, as well as heartworm medication and overheads.
“We do our begging act and manage to get outdated/bag-damaged food from a couple of sources including Peninsula Pet Supplies at Belrose. Pet Barn at Chatswood have also been very generous. “In particular we are in urgent need of warm bedding, food and medication for the dogs this winter.”
The Flanns will hold a fundraising stall from 8 am to 1 pm on May 13 at Chatswood Public School’s Organic Food & Farmers Market. To make a donation call 9453 0602 or 0418288824.
Source: Courier May 10th 2006.
