GRNSW considers that the welfare of all animals must be a primary consideration for all participants in the greyhound racing industry.
 
Greyhound racing in NSW is governed by the Greyhound racing Act 2009, Australian Greyhound Racing Rules and the Local Rules for Greyhound Racing and endorses the World Greyhound Racing Federation Animal Welfare Protocols.

In  2011 GRNSW established a Greyhound Welfare and Veterinary Services Unit and now employs 3 full-time veterinary surgeons and a qualified animal behaviourist to oversee the welfare of greyhounds  racing and transitioning to life as a pet.

In July 2011 GRNSW introduced a mandatory Code of Practice for the keeping of Greyhound in training, which defines the standards required for the treatment of and facilities required for the kennelling of greyhound in NSW. The Code emphasises the importance of good management practices and the legal liability and requirements under the NSW Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1979 and Clause 20 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulation 2006.

GRNSW has been proactive in the ensuring the continual improvement in greyhound welfare and is committed to:

Driving welfare improvement and cultural change to ensure greyhound racing NSW meets community expectations through:

• Improved licensing and regulation of breeders, trainers and rearing establishments’
• Improved track preparation
• Race programming that maximises the racing life of greyhounds
• Increased re-homing
• Introduction of race day and club welfare policies (including veterinarians at ALL meetings)
• Improved life cycle tracking
• Encouraging responsible breeding practices
• Continued promotion of Greyhounds as Pets and the greyhound breed in general through the funding and  management of the Greyhounds as Pets initiative and the development and management of the NSW Muzzle Exemption Program Greenhound www.greenhounds.com.au.