The Great Global Greyhound Walk 2026: NZ Locations & Adoption Guide

Sighthound communities across Aotearoa are preparing for a massive walk this weekend. On Sunday, 27 September 2026, thousands of greyhounds and their owners will step out for the annual Great Global Greyhound Walk.

To help you get ready for this weekend's festivities, here is a quick snapshot of what the event is all about:

• What: an annual worldwide dog-walking event uniting greyhounds with their owners in a global show of community.
• Goal: to raise public awareness of greyhound adoption and show firsthand what incredibly gentle and loving pets these dogs make.
• NZ target: in 2025, 496 sighthounds attended walks around New Zealand. This year, organisers are aiming to smash that record by getting over 500 hounds on the ground to collectively walk 3,000 kilometres, the entire length of the country, in a single day!
• 2026 theme: Mythical Mutts!

This year’s official global theme is "Mythical Mutts". Think dragons, unicorns, fairies and mermaids. Both hounds and humans are highly encouraged to dress up for the occasion, though costumes are entirely optional!

Official New Zealand walk locations and times

Registered walks are taking place all over the country on Sunday, 27 September. Find your closest regional group and meeting time below:

North Island events

• Auckland 10:00 am: meeting at Cornwall Park, assembling outside Acacia Cottage.
• Tauranga 11:00 am: meeting at Robbins Park.
• Napier 10:30 am: meeting at Clive Square.
• Gisborne 9:00 am: an early-morning pack walk starting at Watties Wharf.
• Wellington 10:00 am: meeting at Queens Wharf.

South Island events

• Nelson 2:00 pm: an afternoon gathering at the Trafalgar Centre car park.
• Christchurch 10:00 am: meeting at Hagley Park.
• Timaru 10:00 am: meeting at Caroline Bay.
• Dunedin 10:00 am: southern hounds are meeting outside Emerson's Brewery.

Visit Greyhounds as Pets for full details on where to meet, contact information and links to official Facebook event pages.

2,000 hounds need a home: the end of NZ racing

The 2026 walk arrives at a historic turning point for animal welfare in New Zealand. With greyhound racing officially coming to an end across New Zealand, an estimated 2,000 ex-racing greyhounds are transitioning en masse from the racecourse to retirement.

This creates an unprecedented demand for compassionate Kiwi families researching how to adopt a greyhound in New Zealand. Leading the charge in this massive rehabilitation effort is Greyhounds as Pets (GAP) NZ, a registered charity that has successfully rehomed over 3,000 hounds into loving domestic environments.

GAP carefully assesses every retired racing dog and works like a dating agency to match the right dog to your specific household circumstances. Before adoption, the charity also takes care of veterinary health checks, desexing, microchipping, vaccinations and council registrations.

Why greyhounds make majestic companions

There is a common misconception that because greyhounds can run fast, they require hours of vigorous exercise. In reality, these gentle giants are the ultimate low-maintenance "couch potatoes" and spend up to 18 hours a day sleeping!

Perfect for townhouses and small spaces

Because they love to snooze and have low indoor energy, greyhounds are remarkably well suited to modern Kiwi living spaces, including apartments and townhouses. They do not need a massive backyard and are exceptionally calm and quiet inside.

If you are considering a greyhound for a townhouse layout, keep these specific factors in mind:

• Quiet nature: greyhounds rarely bark, making them ideal neighbours for attached or close-living townhouse complexes.
• Minimal grooming: their short coats shed very little and do not hold a strong dog odour.
• Stairs: multi-level townhouses with open-grid or slippery stairs can frighten a newly retired greyhound who has only ever known flat kennel surfaces. You may need to use non-slip runners or baby gates initially.
• Fencing & space: while they don't need a large yard, they cannot be tethered because their thin skin and delicate necks mean a sudden sprint can cause injury.

Minimal exercise needs

They are fast, but they are usually just fast asleep! A couple of brief 30-minute walks a day and plenty of chill time are all it takes to keep them perfectly happy.

Gentle and affectionate family members

Sighthounds are incredibly polite, affectionate and well-mannered indoor pets. They generally get along well with children and thrive when treated as part of the family pack.

The ultimate wardrobe

Because greyhounds have thin skin and exceptionally low body fat, they feel the cold easily. They look fantastic in custom winter dog coats and specialised martingale collars for greyhounds, frequently boasting the best wardrobe of any breed in the neighbourhood!

Sensitive tummies, clean eating

Because ex-racing greyhound adoption in NZ involves transitioning dogs from a strict track routine to pet life, their digestion can initially be quite sensitive. When rewarding your new pet during training or after a weekend excursion, clean nutrition is vital. Choosing nutrient-dense, high-value rewards without fillers or artificial additives can support their transition. To find high-quality training treats and complete diets, check out our comprehensive guide to raw, air-dried and freeze-dried dog food options in NZ. Our featured pantry staples, such as freeze-dried lamb or air-dried venison, make exceptional, ultra-low-fat, high-value training rewards that are easy to digest and gentle on sensitive greyhound stomachs!

How to support Greyhounds as Pets NZ

With thousands of hounds requiring support as the racing industry winds down, the charity relies heavily on community backing. Here are the three most powerful ways you can make a direct difference today:

1. Adopt a hound

Bringing a retired greyhound into your life permanently is the ultimate way to support the cause. GAP NZ's tailored adoption profiling system helps ensure your new family member integrates well with your home, work schedule, lifestyle and energy levels. If you are ready to give a hound a permanent place on your sofa, you can fill out an adoption questionnaire to start the process.

2. Become a foster carer

Fostering bridges the critical gap between racecourse life and a domestic home environment. As a foster carer, you play a vital role in teaching a greyhound the basics of pet life, such as navigating stairs, understanding shiny floors and adjusting to household noises and routines. GAP provides support throughout the journey. If you can open your home temporarily, submit a foster application.

3. Make a donation

If your current living situation prevents you from taking in a large dog, financial support is immensely valuable. Your contributions directly fund essential veterinary care, rehabilitation programmes, desexing and dental work required to prepare the greyhounds for their retirement homes. To make a one-off or recurring contribution, visit the official GAP donation page.

Did you see them this weekend at the Pet Expo?

If you attended the Auckland Pet & Animal Expo this past weekend, you might have met some of these gentle giants in person! The official charity Greyhounds as Pets NZ frequently attends local NZ pet events to showcase how wonderful retired racers are as companions. Follow Greyhounds As Pets NZ on Facebook to hear about upcoming events near you.

Frequently asked questions

Can non-sighthounds join the walk?

Yes! While the global walk explicitly celebrates the greyhound breed, other family companion dogs are welcome to walk alongside them and support the community.

Is there a registration fee to attend?

No, the walks are completely free and open to everyone. You also do not need to own a greyhound to participate. Anyone who wants to learn about the breed or chat with the team about adoption and fostering is welcome to come along.

Can homes with cats adopt a retired greyhound?

Some greyhounds can be trained to live safely alongside cats after a careful behavioural assessment. However, due to the unprecedented current wave of retirement applications and the limited availability of cat-trainable hounds, GAP NZ has temporarily paused new adoption applications from homes with cats. Be sure to check its official site regularly for updates!

Can greyhounds live with small dogs?

Yes. While greyhounds have a natural predatory chase instinct due to their sighthound genetics, many coexist well with small dogs. GAP NZ carefully tests all retired racers for small-dog compatibility during their intake assessment to help ensure safe, well-mannered social matches.

Where can I get official "Mythical Mutts" merchandise in NZ?

You can grab official themed gear online in New Zealand! If you want to dress up your hound, specialised gear can be ordered from the Greyt Stuff Store. For GAP merchandise and everyday accessories, items can be ordered directly from the GAP NZ Store.