New England greyhounds need a home

The figure is almost three times more than the number reported by the NSW government inquiry into the industry, which said there were 6809 active racing dogs in NSW.

Manilla-based greyhound rescuer Jodi Green says there was “no realistic way” to rehome that many dogs.

“That's a massive number – if you added up every greyhound rehomed in the last couple of years it wouldn't equal that,” Ms Green said.

The draft transition report says the greyhound industry estimated there were 10,263 named greyhounds, while “a further 8922 greyhounds have been microchipped and ear branded but not yet named”.

Ms Green said even big rescue organisations such as Friends of Greyhounds and Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP) only report “hundreds of adoptions” a year.

“To get anywhere near [19,000], they would need to be talking thousands,” Ms Green said.

She is currently fostering seven greyhounds, which is normally her maximum.

But there are so many dogs coming in that Ms Green has committed to taking another “four or five in the next week”.

“For every dog I find a home for, another two are coming in,” she said.

After plans to ban the sport were announced in July, there was a “small wave” of interested local foster carers and adoptions, but it “petered out quite quickly”.

The leaked draft report also suggest greyhound training continue until 2022, and breeding until 2019.

“It was clear from the majority of participants that a phased shutdown period will allow people and businesses to transition from the industry in an orderly manner, with reduced ­financial loss,” the draft report says.

Nationals Barwon MP Kevin Humphries, who crossed the floor in opposition of the ban, had “no doubt” 12 months wouldn’t be long enough for the industry to shut down. 

“I think the transition package is going to be far more substantial than first thought and the whole process needs a rethink,” Mr Humphries said.

 “These details should have all been quantified before the legislation went through parliament.”

The government will decide on a transition package by November.