GREYHOUNDS As Pets NSW has hosted the most successful adoption event in its history as part of the 2026 National Adoption Day.
The event, held at the Entertainment Quarter in Sydney’s Moore Park, saw a record mark for dogs finding new homes.
A total of 47 greyhounds left the event with their new families, 41 adopted and another six being fostered.
Greyhounds As Pets’ chief welfare officer, Mark Slater, said the figure surpassed the 41 from the Moore Park event last year, which in turn had equalled the best single adoption day event held in New South Wales, the 2018 NAD event held at Wentworth Park.
“I’ve attended a lot of adoption events in my time and I have never seen anything like this,” Mr Slater said.
“I can’t think of another rehoming day I’ve been a part of that sees 300-400 people come down to meet dogs.
“You never actually get a real sense of what it’s going to be like until you get here and now we’re here, have a look, hundreds of people milling around just to meet the breed and meet some dogs, and take some dogs home.
“We had people here today queuing up half an hour before we commenced, wanting to make sure they didn’t miss out on the dog they hoped to adopt.
“Some of these people are here just for the love of the dogs, which is absolutely fantastic, especially because they’re bringing family here to see us,” he said.
Having seen a large amount of interest in the NAD from visitors to the Greyhounds As Pets stand at the recent Royal Easter Show, Mr Slater said he was confident of a good turnout for the Moore Park event, but added the day was not about breaking records.
“I am not surprised considering the pre-event interest we received, that we were able to achieve a record number here today, but it’s never about record numbers. If we get one greyhound into a new loving home then it’s a success story,” he said.
“People are in love with the breed. It’s synonymous with being a good family animal, and we’re seeing that here today because of the amount of families we have got here.
“You see a lot of little hands on a lot of dogs’ heads and dogs are soliciting pats from the family units.
“What these events are all about is exposing as many people as possible to greyhounds and what wonderful natures they have and what truly great pets they make.
“That has been accomplished today and I am hearing it has been a similar case around the State this weekend, and I would not be surprised if several people who attended today went away, thought about it, and contacted the staff this week enquiring about adoption,” he said.
“This past weekend we had events in Dubbo, Wagga Wagga, Tamworth and Coffs Harbour as well as this one at Moore Park, and we will get the final figures during this week to see how many greyhounds have found new homes as a result of National Adoption Day.
“We naturally understand that people have tighter budgets these days, but to see so many greyhounds still find new homes this weekend, is testament to the growing popularity and fondness people have for the breed,” he said.
