The Code sets out standards for the keeping, treatment, handling and care of greyhounds. It also includes standards for the facilities, equipment and conditions at premises where greyhounds are kept, trialled, trained or raced. In addition, the Code sets out standards for the procedures and practices to be adopted for keeping, trialling, training and racing greyhounds.

The Code demonstrates the greyhound racing industry’s commitment to improving the welfare of greyhounds across the state. In doing so, it signals to the broader community the collective resolve of the greyhound racing industry to establish and maintain the highest standards of welfare and care in Australia.

The Code exists in 10 parts, each detailed in the links below. Alternatively, a complete copy of the Code can be downloaded here.

Part 1: Introduction

Part 2: Nutrition & Hydration

Part 3: Health & Wellbeing

Part 4: Greyhound Breeding

Part 5: Housing & Environment

Part 6: Transporting Greyhounds

Part 7: Exercise, Socialisation & Enrichment

Part 8: Training, Trialling & Racing

Part 9: Rehoming Greyhounds as Companion Animals

Part 10: Definitions

The development of the Code was facilitated by the Greyhound Welfare & Integrity Commission in consultation with the Greyhound Industry Animal Welfare Committee, Greyhound Racing NSW, the Greyhound Breeders, Owners & Trainers Association and other industry stakeholders. It is intended to be the industry’s benchmark for expected conduct and behaviour.

Excluding the greyhound housing area standard set out in standard 5.9, participants will be required to be in a position to comply with all other standards from 1 January 2021.

Unless otherwise directed by the Commission, all greyhound housing areas (kennelling) will be deemed to comply with new standard 5.9 until 31 December 2030.

Those participants who:

• Are intending to leave the industry prior to 31 December 2035; or
• Have made a significant investment in greyhound housing areas after 1 January 2017 which still represent high-quality housing area amenity,

Will be able to apply to the Commission for a further extension of the ‘deemed to comply’ exemption until 31 December 2035.

All greyhound housing areas will need to be compliant with standard 5.9 from 1 January 2036.

The independent regulatory body in NSW is the Greyhound Welfare & Integrity Commission (GWIC). GWIC have developed an Enforcement Protocol to guide their enforcement of the Code. For more information on GWIC and its regulatory powers please visit www.gwic.nsw.gov.au or call 13 49 42.