500 greyhounds need homes

[lv4dogs]

feel free to x-post

http://www.dakinshelter.org/news.html

[jcsperson]

Dakin Shelter in Massachusetts is circulating an e-mail that is raging around the internet at the speed of light and is unnecessarily scaring and alarming a great number of people because it is completely untrue. If you have received or get such a message please copy and paste the accompanying press release and return it to the sender to show that steps are being taken to move the dogs and none are in danger.

Here is the text of the message:

500 Dogs to Die! (posted 5/1/05)
The greyhound track in Plainfield, CT voted on April 26th that they would discontinue greyhound racing. Unfortunately - and heartbreakingly - they've also decided that rescuers have only two weeks to get the dogs out, and any dogs remaining at the track on May 14th will be euthanized. This is a monumental task because there are at least 500 dogs currently at the track. These are all young, healthy dogs, 2-4 years of age, who would make great family pets.

Why is the track doing this? Greyhound racing is a business and because the track is no longer profitable, they're getting out. To us, dogs are cherished companions. To the greyhound racing industry, dogs are expendable commodities to be disposed of in whatever way is least expensive and most convenient when they aren't making money.

We've committed to saving as many dogs as we possibly can in the next two weeks. We'll be working with an experienced greyhound rescuer who has been placing retired greyhounds for many years. She will be going to the track and bringing us dogs. As soon as we have more room, we'll do it again. We will repeat as many times as we can before May 14th. After May 14th, there will be no dogs left alive at the track.

In order to save as many dogs as we can, we are going to try something we've never done before; sending as many as possible out into foster care by May 14th. Every time we send a dog into an adoptive home or a foster home, we can take another dog off the track. We will take the fostered dogs back into the Dakin Animal Shelter for adoption over the next few months as spaces open up for them - as long as they're off the track by May 14th, they'll be safe.

It should be noted that this organization has a link to their donation page directly below this fallacious "announcement." If this is a crass attempt to raise funds they're doing it in a contemptible way.

Here is the official press release:

PLAINFIELD, CT (May 3, 2005)—Karen Keelan, executive vice president of Plainfield Greyhound Park in Plainfield, CT, said today that the track is committing available resources to ensure that greyhounds displaced by the decision to cease greyhound racing as of May 14 for the remainder of 2005 will be sent to another track to race; be returned to the farm or owner, whether for breeding purposes or placement in a local adoption program; or placed in homes as pets in accordance with the wishes of the greyhound owners.

“Greyhound welfare is our first priority and we will keep the kennel area open until the greyhounds are suitably placed,” Keelan said.

The track will apply for racing dates in 2006 and is committed to a live racing season in 2006. Throughout the remainder of 2005 and 2006, Plainfield Greyhound Park will continue to offer wagering on races from other tracks via simulcast seven days a week.

The track, the National Greyhound Association (NGA) and the racing kennels are in the process of identifying which greyhounds need adoptive homes and are working with local and national adoption organizations to place them. Some greyhounds will transfer to other greyhound tracks to continue their racing careers.

Plainfield Greyhound Park welcomes help from adoption organizations across the country and from individuals who wish to adopt a greyhound. A special toll-free number has been set up to place these dogs in homes as pets. People interested in adopting a greyhound should call 1-888-267-1099. In addition, people can visit www.greyhoundpets.org to learn more about adoption of these wonderful animals.

“I’ve worked with Karen Keelan and Plainfield Greyhound Park over the years, and know how deeply she cares about the welfare of greyhounds,” said Rory Goree, president of Greyhound Pets of America, the largest independent greyhound adoption organization in the United States. “I’m very confident these greyhounds will be treated well. Greyhound Pets of America and other adoption organizations will work with Karen to help find homes for any of the greyhounds available for adoption.”

Goree said that greyhounds continue to gain popularity as pets because of their unique attributes. They are very affectionate animals and most are good with children and other pets.

Thank you for your attention in this matter.

Martin Roper
Hillsborough NC

[jcsperson]

It should also be noted that Connecticut is a No Kill state. Unlike other breeds of dogs and mutts, it is unlawful to put down a racing greyhound in CT. Neither the track nor the kennels can put these dogs down if they wanted to. This group is putting out false information.

[jcsperson]

I notice that Dakin Shelter changed their original post to reflect some semblance of reality, but only after scaring the crap out of a great number of people these past few days.

BTW, there was never a "court order" to extend the date. This sounds like a face-saving measure on their part.

[jcsperson]

Here is an article from today's Akron Beacon Journal:

Push to find homes for greyhounds

Claims of 500 dogs facing death untrue, but good homes still needed for the retiring racers

The rumors flying across the Internet are hurtful and untrue.

They claim that 500 racing dogs are facing imminent death by euthanasia at the Plainfield Greyhound Park in Plainfield, Conn., but that's a lie.

They also say that the track is closing, also a bunch of baloney.

"The true story is we have dogs for adoption, they're in great shape and they're wonderful pets,'' said Karen Keelan, assistant manager. "I don't know what your stand is on greyhound racing, but there are pros and cons in anything. My father was the first one in the business to start an on-site track adoption program.''

They love their dogs, she said.

The track has invested generously in the future of its retired racers and assumed responsibility for finding homes for more than 2,000 of them in the last 12 years, she said. The track also coordinates with rescues in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Here's what is really happening: The park is switching from year-round to seasonal racing. The last race will be run today. At some point this summer, it will reopen for simulcast betting. Plans are being made for a reopening in 2006.

Dogs available

Meanwhile, the park has 200 to 300 dogs up for adoption. "We are currently taking an inventory,'' to determine the exact number, she said. People can call 888-267-1099 and leave their name and address and Keelan will send them a packet of information. Web surfers can go to www.greyhoundpets.org and download adoption papers from there. The adoption fee is $75.

Also, the track is organizing "hauls'' to deliver dogs to regional locations where demand is high. This might work out for Northeast Ohioans.

"We've had a tremendous outpouring from all around the country, and as much as I dislike bad press, this has sparked an interest in adoption,'' said Keelan.

"The rumors are just awful. I hate reading them. There are even people asking for money (in behalf of the greyhounds) on the Internet and people will send money to whoever this is!''

So cool your jets, surfers.