Investing in Welfare
Since 2015, GBGB has invested over £13.5 million to improve the safety and welfare of racing greyhounds. This investment is reliant on voluntary contributions from the betting industry, via the British Greyhound Racing Fund (BGRF).
As part of our Greyhound Commitment, launched in 2018, we have developed a range of vital welfare initiatives aimed at further improving standards across our sport and developing best practice. This has been in areas such as track safety, animal husbandry, injury recovery and the homing of retired greyhounds.
Building on this, in 2022 GBGB launched our new long-term welfare strategy 'A Good Life for Every Greyhound' to further promote and protect welfare across all stages of a racing greyhound's life: breeding, rearing, active years and retirement.
Trainers’ Assistance Fund (TAF)
The GBGB Trainers’ Assistance Fund provides financial assistance to support GBGB-licensed trainers in continuing to uphold the highest standards of welfare for the greyhounds in their care.
There are various funding streams available, which are outlined below:
Development – for trainers who wish to upgrade their kennel or paddock facilities for the benefit of the greyhounds in their care.
Improvement – this grant is available to fund corrective improvements to kennel facilities identified during an SCI or GBGB inspection.
Transportation – to support trainers with the ongoing costs of maintaining vehicles used to transport racing greyhounds, a one-off grant of up to £300 is available towards the cost of servicing or repairing a vehicle, modifying its air-conditioning system, or installing suitable vehicle insulation.
DSMP – this grant is available to support trainers with specific veterinary costs in the event of a contagious disease outbreak at their kennels.
Hardship – grants are available to trainers experiencing genuine financial hardship due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness or natural disaster.
The TAF is separate from the GBGB’s Injury Retirement Scheme (IRS), which helps to fund veterinary treatment relating to a career-ending injury sustained at the track. You can read more about the IRS below.
To apply for a TAF grant, you must have held a GBGB trainer’s licence for a minimum of 12 months. For further information, the terms and conditions, or to request an application form, please email grants@gbgb.org.uk or speak to your Stipendiary Steward.
Injury Retirement Scheme
GBGB’s Injury Retirement Scheme (IRS), previously known as the Injury Recovery Scheme, is a nationwide initiative that provides financial assistance to any owner whose greyhound has sustained a career-ending orthopaedic injury at a GBGB licensed racecourse.
Funding is provided towards corrective veterinary treatment for injuries so that, wherever possible, greyhounds can go on to enjoy a full and active life in retirement.
Since its launch in 2018, GBGB has paid out over £1.7 million through the IRS to support the veterinary treatment of greyhounds to ensure they are able to receive the treatment and rehabilitation they require before being homed into a permanent home.
Information about how to access and apply for the Injury Recovery Scheme is available via My Kennel. Alternatively, you can contact the GBGB Welfare Department on 020 7822 0900 (option 1) or speak to your stadium’s Greyhound Welfare Officer.
Track Safety
Since 2018, we have worked with STRI (formerly the Sports Turf Research Institute), the world’s leading sports turf consultants.
This partnership has seen STRI work closely with our Track Sub-Committee and each of our tracks to develop detailed assessments on their sand profile, drainage, equipment and individual track practices. They provide ongoing support to all GBGB licensed tracks in their track preparation and maintenance.
As well as sharing the latest innovations, STRI also provide ongoing support and specialist training for track ground staff. GBGB’s Track Liaison Officer works closely with STRI and each of our tracks to ensure our athletes race on the safest possible surfaces.
GBGB’s Track Maintenance Guide provides a central source of information on key elements of track preparation and maintenance.