Premier

Melbourne Dog Café A Paw-fect Chance To Adopt

14 March 2018

Doggie donuts and puppuchinos will be on offer at Melbourne’s newest dog-friendly café to promote the adoption of retired racing greyhounds.

The Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP) Café – officially opened in West Melbourne today – aims to improve animal welfare in the racing industry by driving up the number of rehomed dogs.

The Andrews Labor Government has provided almost $133,000 towards the cafe through the Victorian Racing Industry Fund, which is sourced from unclaimed wagering dividends and on-course wagering taxes.

Greyhound Racing Victoria is also contributing $133,000 towards the animal welfare initiative.

Patrons will be encouraged to interact with the greyhounds at the café and learn more about the adoption program, with greyhound food and rugs available for purchase.

The café also has electronic tablets so people can view other greyhounds up for adoption around the state. Owners are also welcome to BYO pet pooches, regardless of the breed, to visit the café.

Previously, those wanting to adopt a greyhound had to travel to one of Greyhound Racing Victoria’s regional facilities, such as GAP headquarters at Seymour.

There were a record number of adopted greyhounds in the last financial year, with 1,314 dogs rehomed in 2016-17 compared to 809 in 2015-16. In total, about 9,000 dogs have been rehomed since the Greyhound Adoption Program started in 1996.

The new GAP Cafe is located at 477 King Street, West Melbourne, and will be open from 7am–3pm Monday to Friday and 8am–3pm on weekends.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Racing Martin Pakula

“The Greyhound Adoption Program café will help to improve animal welfare by making adoption even easier and driving up the number of rehomed racing dogs.”

“We’re supporting the greyhound racing industry because it employs thousands of Victorians and injects hundreds of millions in the economy.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford

“GAP has combined two of Melbourne’s favourite things; our love of animals and our love of coffee.”

Quotes attributable to Greyhound Racing Victoria CEO Alan Clayton

“We have seen record numbers of greyhound adoptions in the past two years and word is getting out about the appeal of these beautiful dogs as pets.”

“There is a real community of greyhound owners and the GAP Cafe is a great meeting place for this community as well as other dog owners.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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