The average kennel maintains around 50 dogs but often as many as 80. Seasonal tracks are often low revenue facilities with low-grade dogs who might not race successfully elsewhere. To euthanize such a large number of animals can be very expensive for kennel owners. This dilemma often leaves the animals vulnerable to be sold to research labs or sent to race in third world countries. Greyhound are muzzled in the pens because the large number of dogs often leads to fighting.
Some trainers elect to keep the dogs muzzled in their crates for the majority of each day.
Bedding is shredded newspaper or thin carpet remnants. The wood gets soaked with urine, making sanitary conditions difficult. It is used to save costs. The Perils of Racing Greyhound injuries are common on tracks with a poorly constructed first turn or poor racing surface. For many greyhounds, the only real exercise they receive is during races.