GAP SA 25th Birthday Adoption Day Brings Plenty of Reasons to Celebrate

Oct 31, 2022

31 October 2022GAP SA 25th Birthday Adoption Day Brings Plenty of Reasons to Celebrate

Picture: Bodelle Francis presents Chris McDermott with GAP SA’s donation to the Little Heroes Foundation

Greyhounds as Pets (GAP SA) had plenty of reasons to celebrate last weekend, with its 25th Birthday Adoption Day on Saturday 22 October attracting a huge crowd of dog lovers and matching 24 greyhounds with their new forever families.

The day also saw Greyhound Racing SA (GRSA) hand over a check for $69,130 to charity partner Little Heroes Foundation. The donation is made up of adoption and foster fees for the 2021/22 financial year, during which a record 488 greyhounds were adopted.

GRSA CEO Bodelle Francis labelled the event a major success and said she was pleased to mark the occasion with the significant donation in support of children’s physical and mental health.  

“We’re so proud of our ongoing partnership with Little Heroes, which continues to go from strength to strength,” Bodelle said.

“I would like to thank all our adoptive families for their support, not only in creating a forever home for one of these beautiful greyhounds but also for your contribution to this great South Australian charity.

“Your foster and adoption fees go directly to supporting children and their families, which is incredibly meaningful.”

GRSA’s commitment to donate all adoption fees from its leading GAP SA program to the Little Heroes Foundation continues into the new financial year.

The ongoing partnership between the two organisations has seen GRSA donate more than $40,000 to Little Heroes Foundation since 2018 in addition to this latest donation. So far, funds have helped to fund youth mental health initiatives and a grant allowing for the recruitment of a cancer research nurse at the Australian Bragg Centre for Proton Therapy and Research.

“On behalf of the Little Heroes Foundation and the children and families that we have supported for over 27 years now, I would like to thank Greyhounds as Pets and Greyhound Racing South Australia for their incredible support,” Little Heroes Foundation Chief Executive Chris McDermott said.

“This is a really big number! And the beauty of contributions like this is that it goes directly to the kids in need,” he said.

“We’ve really enjoyed this relationship; it has been one of the greatest partnerships we’ve been able to have.”

The 25th Birthday Adoption Day festivities also included a fancy dress competition for greyhounds, with plenty of families dressing up their beloved pets and making use of the photo booth.

Eventgoers also made the most of pop-ups from Pups Kitchen and Greyhound Blankets by Becc, taking home yummy treats and cozy presents for their furry friends.

But the celebrations don’t end there – friends of GAP SA are invited to join in on the 25th year fun at its upcoming birthday party. Click here for event details.

To find out more about Greyhounds as Pets and the adoption process, visit gapsa.org.au.