The sun shone in Milan on Sunday 8th September as a representative of Forever Hounds Trust joined others from rescue organisations around the world at an event to celebrate one of the biggest and most complex international rescue campaigns and honour the greyhounds of the Macau Canidrome.
With the closure of the notorious Canidrome in Macau last year came the rescue of more than 500 greyhounds that lived and raced inside the stadium. It required organisations from around the world to come together and find homes for these dogs, who had spent most of their lives living inside concrete cages. Valentina, Amore, Oyster, Sophie and Monty all came to Forever Hounds Trust and received the veterinary care and rehabilitation they needed before finding their forever homes. Only Monty remains still in our care, having required extensive veterinary treatment, but is ready to move on to his forever home now.
The event in Milan was hosted by Pet Levrieri and celebrated the successful campaign to close the Canidrome forever. There was also a moving ceremony to remember the 18,000 greyhounds that died there during its years of operation, as well as the 17 greyhounds that died before they could be freed from the confines of the stadium. Most of the greyhounds that had found forever homes in Italy were at the event with their new owners, and were joined by Albano Martins of ANIMA, Christine Dorchak of Grey2K USA and Stefania Traini of Pet Levrieri as well as representatives from some of the rescue organisations that had welcomed dogs from Macau.
The video that was played during the event is now available with English subtitles and can be seen here: https://www.facebook.com/petlevrieri/videos/vb.537797952970731/2374718089464817/?type=2&theater
All those attending the event were awarded a commemorative medal which says ‘Happy at Last’. The medal given to Forever Hounds Trust has been passed to Monty, our last Macau greyhound awaiting his forever home. The medal is attached to his collar and will go to his forever home with him, to let everyone know just how special he is.
Greyhound racing – the forgotten ones