Art Saves South Africa’s Retired Greyhounds

A new photo exhibition titled Ghosts of the Hunt is transforming stories of canine hardship into powerful narratives of hope. Hosted by Greyhound Welfare South Africa (GWA), the showcase highlights the beauty and resilience of Greyhounds. These dogs, once bred for racing and hunting, are now finding second chances through dedicated rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming efforts.

The exhibition features two poignant photographic series. The first, by GWA founder Dean Bush, documents dogs rescued from the notorious Yat Yuen racetrack in Macau, China. This facility, shut down in 2018 after international pressure, was known as the ‘deadliest track in the world’. For over five decades, it operated without a rehoming policy, leading to the deaths of an estimated 20,000 Greyhounds deemed too slow to race. Bush’s images capture the moment these animals stepped from the shadows of racing kennels into the safety of rescue.

The Local Struggle Against Hunting

While dog racing has been banned in South Africa since 1949, underground racing persists. Furthermore, the use of Greyhounds for hunting remains a contentious issue. Recently, hunter groups have lobbied the government to re-legalize hunting with dogs, citing cultural heritage. Animal welfare organizations, including GWA and the NSPCA, strongly oppose this. They argue the practice has devolved into a cruel blood sport that causes ecological destruction. GWA works tirelessly to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome Greyhounds from these illegal racing and hunting syndicates, with many dogs arriving with severe injuries and trauma.

A Story of Second Chances

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The second series, by photographer Warren van Rensburg, features hauntingly beautiful portraits of locally rescued Greyhounds. The exhibition aims to reframe public perception of these animals, showcasing them as gentle and affectionate companions rather than just hunting or racing dogs. Every photograph sold supports the ongoing care of rescued dogs, covering veterinary bills, food, and rehoming costs. The Ghosts of the Hunt exhibition serves as a moving tribute and a call for greater compassion, demonstrating the profound resilience of these sighthounds. The showcase runs throughout October at Kameraz in Cresta, Johannesburg.