We, as members of the American Greyhound Track Operators Association, have pledged ourselves to the following standards and principles to ensure the responsible care and humane treatment of all racing greyhounds.
- All greyhounds shall be housed in comfortable, clean, safe and well-ventilated kennels.
- All greyhounds shall receive plentiful and healthful food and water.
- All greyhounds shall be provided appropriate exercise in clean, safe turnout pens and sprint fields.
- All greyhounds shall be trained using artificial lures.
- All greyhounds shall receive prompt veterinary care.
- All racetrack surfaces shall be groomed and maintained daily to ensure the health and safety of the racing greyhounds.
- All greyhounds shall be trained and cared for by qualified, competent and responsible personnel according to established animal welfare guidelines.
- All tracks shall enact policies and enforcement procedures that include penalties for violation of proper animal welfare procedures.
- All member tracks shall require that proper documentation be filed with and approved by the Racing Secretary and/or General Manager of the track before any greyhound may be removed from track premises. The documentation shall confirm and verify that the greyhound in question has been:
- Transferred to another greyhound racetrack for purposes of continued racing;
- Returned to the original owner or breeding farm for pet or breeding purposes; or
- Upon retirement, placed into an in-house, local or nationally recognized adoption program.