GRV recognises that there may be times when Registered Participants travel to race or coursing meetings, which require overnight stay(s), and where greyhound housing in kennels is not available. Furthermore, in an emergency situation where greyhounds must be evacuated from their usual kennel address, participants will temporarily house their greyhounds in trailers until they can return home.
To ensure compliance with the GRV Transport Policy and the new Code of Practice for the Keeping of Racing Greyhounds (from 1 January 2020), GRV has established an approval process for the temporary overnight housing of greyhounds in a stationary transport vehicle or trailer.
NOTE: this requirement does not apply to participants driving through the night with greyhounds (this is covered by the Transport Policy); it only applies if the greyhounds are remaining in a stationary vehicle for more than 6 hours after 8pm.
There are two forms of approval:
- Self–assessment and approval for 1-2 nights’ accommodation; and
- GRV approval for 3 or more nights’ accommodation.
Self-Assessment: Temporary Overnight housing of Greyhounds
in a Stationary Transport Vehicle (1-2 nights)
If a Registered Participant intends to house greyhounds in a stationary transport vehicle away from the usual kennel address for one (1) night or two (2) consecutive nights, they must complete the Self-Assessment Form.
This completed form must be submitted to the Greyhound Welfare and Re-homing Department within (7) business days AFTER travel. Please submit this application form to welfare@grv.org.au.
Application: Temporary Overnight Accommodation of Greyhounds
in a Stationary Transport Vehicle (3 or more consecutive nights)
If a Registered Participant intends to house greyhounds in a stationary transport vehicle away from the usual kennel address for three (3) or more consecutive nights, they must complete the Application Form.
This application must be submitted to the Greyhound Welfare and Re-homing Department no less than THREE (3) BUSINESS DAYS PRIOR to travel. Please submit this application form to welfare@grv.org.au.
Assessment Criteria
The following are the assessment criteria and conditions GRV places on housing greyhounds overnight in a stationary transport vehicle or trailer:
- Vehicle will not be parked at usual kennel address.
- Overnight venues must be suitable for parking transport vehicle (i.e. a safe place that is not the side of the road).
- Water must be available at the overnight venue.
- A suitable area for toileting at overnight venue must be available.
- If overnight temperature is forecast to be 31°C or higher, the vehicle must have power assisted air-conditioning for use when the vehicle is stationary and there must be access to power at the venue.
- The person in control of the greyhounds must be able to check on the greyhounds every 4 hours between 10pm and 6am. NOTE: If overnight accommodation is approved, a conditional exemption from Clause 22 of the GRV Transport Policy applies (which requires greyhounds to be checked every 20 mins when in a stationary vehicle or every 5 minutes on hot weather affected journeys).
- If overnight temperature 10°C or lower, rugs must be available for all greyhounds.
- Transport vehicle must have adequate ventilation.
- Transport vehicle must be suitable for the number of greyhounds being housed and must offer individual compartments.
- Individual compartments must be suitable and comfortable for greyhounds to sleep overnight.
- Veterinary care must be available within a reasonable vicinity of venue.
- All greyhounds that are racing/coursing must be cleared to race.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I am driving late at night or overnight, and do not plan to take more than short rest breaks (max 1-2 hours), do I need to complete an overnight accommodation form?
No. This process only applies to Registered Participants who require temporary accommodation for their greyhounds in a stationary vehicle or trailer between 8.00pm and 6.00am for a period of 6 hours or more.
What happens during hot weather affected journeys? If it is 32°C or higher, do I have to check my greyhound every 5 minutes as required under Clause 22 of the Transport Policy?
No. If you comply with this process there is a conditional exemption to clause 22 of the Transport Policy. Instead you are required to check your greyhound(s) every 4 hours between 10.00pm and 6.00am when the vehicle is stationary to ensure air-conditioning continues to run and there is adequate ventilation for greyhound welfare.
Do I need to check on my greyhounds during the night on non-hot weather affected journeys?
Yes, every 4 hours between the hours of 10pm and 6am.
Why do I need approval from GRV?
Approval is required in accordance with the GRV Transport Policy (2019) and (after 1 January 2020) the Code of Practice of the Keeping of Racing Greyhounds.
Clause 23 of the Transport Policy (2019) provides that “Vehicles and trailers must not be used as overnight housing for greyhounds except in exceptional circumstances as notified to, and approved by, a GRV Steward, GRV Veterinarian or GRV Authorised Officer.”
From 1 January 2020, section 4.4 of the Code of Practice of the Keeping of Racing Greyhounds provides that “Greyhounds must not be housed in a transport vehicle or transport cage for more than 48 hours, unless approved by GRV for the purposes of a race-meeting (as defined by the Racing Act 1958 (Vic)).”.
This will ensure the safety and welfare of GRV registered greyhounds while they are being temporarily accommodated in this manner.
Where do I send my completed form?
Send it to welfare@grv.org.au. You are able to send a good quality photo of the completed form from your smart phone if this is convenient for you.
If you have any questions about temporary overnight accommodation of greyhounds in transport vehicles, please contact GRV by calling 03 8329 1108.