A new photo exhibition, Ghosts of the Hunt, hosted by Greyhound Welfare South Africa, is turning stories of hardship into hope. The exhibition celebrates the beauty and resilience of Greyhounds – once bred for racing and hunting – who are now finding second chances through rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming.
South Africa (27 October 2025) – At first glance, the photographs hanging along the gallery walls are striking – elegant dogs with soulful eyes, captured in soft light and poised dignity. But behind each image at the Ghosts of the Hunt exhibition lies a story of survival, rescue, and a powerful message of resistance against cruelty.
Hosted by Greyhound Welfare South Africa (GWA), the exhibition features two distinct yet deeply connected photographic series. One, captured by Dean Bush, founder of the GWA, tells the story of hundreds of dogs rescued from the Yat Yuen racetrack in Macau, China – a facility that had operated for over five decades before finally being shut down in 2018, thanks to international pressure from animal lovers such as Bush. The second series features haunting photographs by professional photographer Warren van Rensburg of locally rescued Greyhounds.
Yat Yuen racetrack dubbed ‘deadliest track in the world’
Bush says the Yat Yuen racetrack earned its nickname for good reason.
“For 54 years, the track had no rehoming policy,” Bush explains. “Dogs that were too slow were simply killed – 20,000 over the years. Thousands of Greyhounds spent their lives running for entertainment, and between races they were kept enclosed in poor conditions.”
Bush’s photos from Macau capture these dogs at a moment of transformation – stepping out of the shadows of racing kennels into the light of safety for the first time.
Dog racing has been banned in South Africa since 1949, but small pockets of underground racing still persist. Local dog breeders also export to countries where dog racing remains legal, including Australia, Ireland and America, and where Greyhounds are much sought after for their speed and agility. At a recent auction in Bela Bela in Limpopo, Southern African Greyhound breeders paid a staggering R2,4 million for 65 greyhounds, with the top-priced dog from a South African breeder fetching R400 000.
“Breeding Greyhounds to sell to the international market for dog racing or hunting is problematic,” according to Bush.
The battle at home
Bush’s work also draws parallels to the local struggle here in South Africa, where the use of dogs for hunting remains a point of tension. In South Africa, hunting with dogs remains illegal, but not without challenge.
In recent months, groups of hunters have lobbied the government to re-legalise the practice, claiming it as a matter of cultural heritage. In September, the Amaphisi Hunters’ Association submitted a memorandum to the presidency, calling on government to lift the ban on the use of dogs in hunting practices. The group argues for legalisation based on potential job creation, cultural tradition, and economic benefits.
Animal welfare organisations, including the NSPCA and GWA, are pushing back, citing overwhelming evidence of cruelty and ecological destruction.
“What started as a cultural practice has become a blood sport,” says Bush. “These dogs are bred, starved, and trained to chase and kill wildlife for sport, not survival. It’s devastating both for the animals and the environment.”
The GWA works closely with other animal welfare bodies to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome Greyhounds caught up in hunting and illegal racing syndicates across the country. The organisation currently cares for dozens of rescued dogs at its facility, many arriving with broken bones, scars, and trauma.
Capturing resilience through art
Alongside Bush’s powerful documentary work are the portraits of Warren Johnson, a commercial and fashion photographer who turned his lens toward the rescue of Greyhounds of GWA.
Introduced to the organisation through a friend, Johnson admits he wasn’t prepared for the emotional impact of meeting the dogs. “They were chaotic and full of life – each with a distinct personality,” he says. “Photographing them was about honouring their resilience.”
His favourite image is a large print of a three-legged Greyhound sitting tall, looking off camera.
“He’s sitting proud, with a missing limb. He looks like a distinguished gentleman,” Johnson says.
A story of second chances
Beyond the visual impact, Ghosts of the Hunt is an invitation for reflection – on compassion and responsibility.
“Every sale from the exhibition goes toward the care of rescued dogs, covering veterinary bills, food, and rehoming costs,” Bush says. “We have many with amputations or permanent injuries. It’s expensive to keep them healthy and happy, but each adoption is a victory.”
The exhibition also hopes to educate the public and inspire a deeper understanding of animal welfare in South Africa – a country where, despite progress, animal neglect and cruelty remain widespread.
“People often think of Greyhounds as racing or hunting dogs because of their incredible speed,” Bush says.
“But they’re gentle, affectionate animals who just want a safe home.”
Where to see it
The Ghosts of the Hunt: A Photographic Tribute to Sighthounds exhibition runs throughout October, featuring both the international rescue stories from Macau and the South African rescue portraits.
Venue: Kameraz, Greenstone House, Stonehill Office Park. 300 Acacia Road, Cresta, Johannesburg.
Visit greyhoundwelfare.co.za for more information or to support their rescue work.
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