The Code of Practice has been in effect since 1 Jan 2020 and sets out minimum standards for the accommodation, management, breeding and care required to meet the needs of a racing greyhound throughout its life.

The Code of Practice was developed by the State Government after an investigation by Victoria’s Chief Veterinary Officer into aspects of the greyhound racing industry.

The new Code of Practice covers the whole lifecycle of a greyhound, from whelp to retirement.

• Read the Code and become familiar with its main concepts
• Use the Establishment Health Management Plan (EHMP) template to create an EHMP for your establishment (or have created your own)
• Had a Vet approve your EHMP
• Complete the online Declaration (to confirm that you have an approved EHMP)

An Establishment Health Management Plan (EHMP) is the collection of Protocols that describe how an establishment is managed, and how the greyhounds at that establishment are cared for. These must be reviewed annually and renewed every three years.

Anyone who is the Person in Charge (PIC) of at least one racing greyhound needs to complete an EHMP for their establishment – and get vet approval of their EHMP.

Most properties only need one EHMP, even though more than one participant is registered at the property.

However, where participants are operating out of separate facilities (different kennel blocks, food preparation areas etc.), multiple EHMPs will be required.

No. For an EHMP to be valid, the participant who signed it must be a current, registered participant.

So, when a participant does not renew their GRV registration, or if they become disqualified, any EHMP they signed will automatically become invalid. When this occurs, another active participant at the property must create a new EHMP.

However, an EHMP is not invalidated if a participant is suspended.

No; retired pet greyhounds are not considered ‘active’, but greyhounds retired for breeding are.

If you plan on caring for active greyhounds at your property in the future, you must ensure an EHMP is created and declared online before doing so.

If you keep active greyhounds at your home as well as a separate kennel address, both properties must comply with the code, have a valid EHMP and be approved by GRV.

An EHMP can only cover a single property, so if you keep greyhounds at two addresses, you must have two valid EHMPs.

An EHMP created for one property cannot be transferred to a new property. If you change address, you must create and declare a new one, unless there is a valid EHMP already in place; signed by another participant at the property.

We recommend using the EHMP template developed by GRV. It contains the protocols you need for compliance with the Code of Practice.

Alternatively, you can design your own EHMP, however you must ensure it complies with the Code of Practice and is suitable for your establishment.

Your EHMP must be reviewed by a registered vet, and both you and your vet must the declaration (found on page 1 of the template). Your vet must also initial each relevant ‘protocol’.

Printed copies of the EHMP template can be obtained from greyhound racing Clubs, or from Stewards visiting your property.

If you are unable to obtain a copy from your Club, please contact Racing Services on 03 8329 1100.

No, you cannot just change the date and re-sign your old EHMP; a new EHMP is required.

Any EHMP signed more than 3 years ago is expired.

Once you and your vet have signed the ‘Summary Page’ of the template, or the EHMP itself if you have made your own, you must then complete the online declaration. This will let GRV know that your new EHMP has in place.

You do not need to send GRV a copy of your new EHMP, but you must have it available at your property for inspection if requested by a Steward or other GRV Officer.

Section 4.2 of the Code sets out the role of the vet (and the agreement between a vet and a participant), but everything else is an expectation of the participant.

No. Participants can prepare an EHMP and send it via email or mail to a vet for approval (although you would need to confirm the vet’s fee with them before you did so).

No. Any vet can approve an EHMP, if they approve of the protocols in the EHMP.

It’s similar to an eHealth record on FastTrack which will record all health care and veterinary treatments given to a greyhound during its life.

Yes. The Code of Practice requires every greyhound to have a Greyhound Record from whelp.

To record health “events” for the greyhound. Examples of health events include: if the greyhound gets an injury or illness for which they then receive treatment; or if the greyhound is given vaccinations, supplements, or worm treatments.

All greyhounds on FastTrack have already had a Greyhound Record automatically created for them.

Either:

• Click on the name of any dog on your “My Dogs” page, then click on the “Greyhound Record” tab on the right

Or:

• Click on “Actions” for any dog on your “My Dogs” page, and choose “Greyhound Record” from the menu

If you submit a kennel return for an interstate greyhound, a Greyhound Record will automatically be created for the greyhound on FastTrack. This should be used while the greyhound is resident in Victoria.

Only the person who has completed a Kennel Return and has the greyhound located in their kennel, (the Person in Charge), will have access to the Greyhound Record.

No. You can use any form of paper or electronic record, as long as you capture the information required.

You will need to keep the paper-based records as evidence of the greyhound’s health events prior to you receiving it.

If that greyhound moves from your establishment, you need to give a copy of its paper Record to the next person in charge, so they have the greyhound’s full health history.

Once the new Person in Charge completes a Kennel Return, access to the Greyhound Record on FastTrack is automatically passed along to them.

Once that happens, you will not be able to view the Greyhound Record for that dog again. You should ensure that you download or make a copy of the greyhound’s

Record for your own records before this happens.

You should also make sure copies of any paper records for the greyhound go with the dog to its new establishment.

No. There is no way to upload any kind of file to the Greyhound Record. If you have health event-related paperwork for a greyhound, you should keep copies, and remember to pass a copy on to whoever will be the next Person in Charge of the greyhound.

There is no ability to edit, amend or delete an event once it has been saved to the Greyhound Record, so you will need to take care when entering information and submitting an Event.

There is no ability to edit, amend or delete an event once it has been saved to the Greyhound Record, so you will need to take care when entering information and submitting an Event.

An example of this would be a Breeder who subcontracts out the whelping of a litter. Information about any health events or treatments should be passed to the Person in Charge of the greyhound (who does have access to the Greyhound Record), so that they can enter and save these events to the Greyhound Record.