Greyhound Recovery Initiative

Program Overview

Background

The Greyhound Recovery Initiative (“GRI”), is a Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) program to provide funding towards the off-track veterinary treatment of greyhounds seriously injured at a race meeting.

Funding

Subject to the funding criteria set out below, the GRI will contribute funding of up to $1,500 including GST (“the capped amount”), towards all reasonable off-track veterinary costs for treatment of a greyhound admitted into the program. The participant in charge (who may be the owner or trainer) of the greyhound may take the greyhound to any Victorian veterinarian(s), and participation in the program is voluntary. Funding will be in two stages and can either be by way of reimbursement of the participant or payment directly to the veterinarian(s):

1. Stage 1 – initial off-track veterinary consultation (which includes immediate treatment, such as pain relief, necessary to ensure the welfare of the greyhound during this stage).
2. Stage 2 – subsequent treatment of an eligible injury.

Eligibility for stage 1 funding – initial off-track veterinary consultation

The purpose of this consultation is to obtain an accurate diagnosis of the injury, particularly where the OTV suspects that an eligible injury has been suffered but requires confirmation by X-ray. GRV will fund all reasonable costs of the initial veterinary consultation up to the capped amount, regardless of the diagnosis, prognosis and assessment as to eligibility for subsequent treatment.

(a) The injury must have been sustained during a race meeting or coursing meeting, or during post-race or qualifying trials, on a Victorian greyhound race track that is staffed by a GRV On-Track Veterinarian (OTV).

(b) In the professional opinion of the OTV, the greyhound is suffering, or is suspected to be suffering, from an “eligible injury” where euthanasia on-track is being considered by the OTV on humane grounds.

(c) An eligible injury is a serious and potentially career-ending injury that is:

1. 1. a bone fracture that is not a single metacarpal or metatarsal fracture, a toe (phalangeal and/or sesamoid) fracture or a tail fracture; or
   2. a joint dislocation above and including the wrist or hock, so does not include a metacarpal-phalangeal or metatarsal-phalangeal dislocation, a toe dislocation or a tail dislocation; or
   3. a complete Achilles tendon rupture.

(d) The OTV must determine that the injury can be treated with an acceptable welfare outcome.

(e) The OTV must be able to stabilise the injury and administer appropriate pain relief at the track.

(f) The OTV may require that the greyhound receive overnight veterinary care at an emergency veterinary clinic, and this will be funded as the initial veterinary consultation.

(g) The participant in charge must arrange transport for the greyhound to the initial off-track veterinary consultation, arrange appropriate care and rehabilitation for the greyhound while it recovers, and will remain responsible for re-homing the greyhound.

Eligibility for stage 2 funding – subsequent treatment

There are three possible outcomes following the initial veterinary consultation:

1. The injury is confirmed by the veterinarian to be an eligible injury: GRV will contribute funding, up to the capped amount, towards all reasonable costs for the initial off-track veterinary consultation and all reasonable veterinary costs for the subsequent treatment. Following treatment, the greyhound must be retired as a pet or for breeding purposes. In the event that the greyhound recovers sufficiently to return to racing, the GRV must be reimbursed for the treatment costs (excluding the initial veterinary consultation) prior to the greyhound’s first nomination.
2. The injury is found by the veterinarian to be not eligible and/or the participant wants to fund the treatment themselves: GRV will fund all reasonable costs, up to the capped amount, for the initial off-track veterinary consultation, but will not fund any subsequent veterinary costs.
3. The injury is more serious than the on-track diagnosis: Where the prospects of recovery with an acceptable welfare outcome are poor, such that euthanasia is in the opinion of the veterinarian in the best interests of the greyhound, GRV will fund all reasonable costs, up to the capped amount, for the initial off-track veterinary consultation and associated necessary treatment.

Administration

The OTV must complete Part A of the GRI Admission Form in consultation with a GRV Steward at the track and email it to GRV at gri@grv.org.au with the OTV ‘Veterinary Examination Details’ form.

The participant in charge of the greyhound must take the entire GRI Admission Form, as well as the OTV ‘Veterinary Examination Details’ form, to the off-track veterinarian for the initial consultation and any subsequent treatment. Once the off-track veterinarian has treated the greyhound, they must complete Part B of the GRI Admission Form.

The complete form (PART A and B) must be submitted to GRV to apply for payment. If a rebate is sought by the participant, the GRI Participant Rebate Application Form (PART C) must also be submitted with tax invoice(s) and receipt(s). If direct payment of veterinary invoices by GRV is sought, veterinary invoices must be addressed to GRV.

Priority Entry to GAP

After recovery from the injury, the owner will be responsible for re-homing the greyhound if it is not kept as a pet or for breeding purposes. All greyhounds admitted into the GRI will be granted priority access to a standard GAP Pre-entry Assessment if requested by the participant.

As per normal practice, the greyhound must pass this Pre-entry Assessment and be in sound health (i.e. must not be lame) to be accepted into GAP.

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