500 greyhounds need homes

[lv4dogs]

also posted in rescue, feel free to x-post

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

[elizabethann]

That's so sad. A track in my state has just closed and I often wonder what will happen to the dogs. Considering this is a report from CT, I wonder if any of those dogs ever came up here to race in NH. I hope they all find homes. I've seen Greyhounds at the dog park and they are so beautiful and gentle animals. I wish I could adopt one but I can only have 1 dog where I live.

[Vette]

Oh my lord.
wish i could take one in.

[pethop]

really sad story. but i wonder why their adoption fee is so high $250??

[lizbud]

The Greyhound Racing industry is a dying business. I am so glad about that. Why can't the registered owners of these dogs
be charged a high fee payable to rescue groups who have to re-home these poor dogs when they eventually stop making money for their greedy owners.

Everytime the subject of Greyhounds and ex racers come up on PT, we get the same old crap about how much the dogs love to
run, that's what they're bred for, etc, etc, and the subject gets
changed around to talking about how beautiful the Greyhound
is. They are beautiful and they sure deserve better than being
dumped onto some charitable organization once, the owners
are finished with them.

I wish THESE 500 animals all the luck in the world in finding good
homes. and the NEXT 500, etc, etc.

[Fox-Gal]

I'd take one in a sec., if they where in Florida. Think they ship?

I have always wanted a greyhound, it's just Cannilla never took well to new comers. Now that she's passed, maybe, one day?

i wonder why their adoption fee is so high $250??

This is why. This is everything the dog has done when you adopt.

[slick]

Very sad indeed, although I must say that I'm glad the track is shutting down. I never like dog racing.

Praying that most of them get adopted.

[MaryJae]

Anyone who received that was actually misinformed. I've talked to someone in this Greyhound Rescue near me and they said that all of the Greyhounds are safe and are just being held in Plainsfield until they can be moved to a different track or adoption agency. None of them will be euthanized so no worries.

[Fox-Gal]

Originally posted by MaryJae
Anyone who received that was actually misinformed. I've talked to someone in this Greyhound Rescue near me and they said that all of the Greyhounds are safe and are just being held in Plainsfield until they can be moved to a different track or adoption agency. None of them will be euthanized so no worries.

Thank God.

[jcsperson]

This actually started two days ago with an infinitely more dire e-mail that was sent to 1000s upon 1000s of people who were unduly alarmed by Dakin Shelter in Massachusetts. The shame of it was that it was 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 original 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.

Here are the facts:

1) CT is a No Kill state and these dogs were never in danger to start with. Even the reference to a "court order" in their updated message is false. Unlike other breeds, unlike mutts, it is unlawful to kill a racing greyhound in Connecticut.

2) When the track's closing was imminent they contacted the National Greyhound Association, Greyhound Pets of America, and a number of other groups for assistance. A massive effort is underway to move these dogs as far away as the Pacific Northwest.

3) Many of the dogs will continue their careers elsewhere. Hinsdale increased their racing card and an entire kennel is moving there. Another is moving to Melbourne.

4) The better dogs will start at Shoreline Star.

Please do not buy in to the hype and furor caused by one individual or group.

Thank you for your attention in this matter.

Martin Roper
Hillsborough NC

[jcsperson]

Originally posted by elizabethann
That's so sad. A track in my state has just closed and I often wonder what will happen to the dogs. Considering this is a report from CT, I wonder if any of those dogs ever came up here to race in NH. I hope they all find homes. I've seen Greyhounds at the dog park and they are so beautiful and gentle animals. I wish I could adopt one but I can only have 1 dog where I live.

The track in Belmont closed due accusations that two employees tried to circumvent gaming laws. Lakes Region is a small, seasonal track and no dogs are on the premises at this time. The track has been sold and its future operation is pending the licensing of the new owner. The state, of course, will be very happy to grant the new owner a license because GL generated $1.2 million in revenue to NH in 2004 and provided $72,893 in taxes to the town of Belmont and a further $112,000 to the state in mutuel fees. The track had 44 employees not including the kennels themselves.

[jcsperson]

Originally posted by lizbud
The Greyhound Racing industry is a dying business. I am so glad about that. Why can't the registered owners of these dogs
be charged a high fee payable to rescue groups who have to re-home these poor dogs when they eventually stop making money for their greedy owners.

Everytime the subject of Greyhounds and ex racers come up on PT, we get the same old crap about how much the dogs love to
run, that's what they're bred for, etc, etc, and the subject gets
changed around to talking about how beautiful the Greyhound
is. They are beautiful and they sure deserve better than being
dumped onto some charitable organization once, the owners
are finished with them.

I wish THESE 500 animals all the luck in the world in finding good
homes. and the NEXT 500, etc, etc.

I am one of those "greedy" bastards you are speaking of. I've never made a nickel at greyhound racing. I breed and race these dogs because I love the breed. I want greyhounds to survive into the future at their current state of functionality, not like the current morbidly inbred, dysfunctional monstrosities "bred" by AKC breeders. The AKC registers 160 greyhounds a year---fewer than 30 litters. Their gene pool has shrunk to a few dozen examples that aren't worth breeding. AKC greyhounds are so slow they can hardly run out of sight on a dark night.

By contrast there are 26,000 NGA greyhounds registered every year that represent 46 families which can be traced back to the 1700s. Greyhounds are the most pure-bred dogs on earth. They have none of the congenital diseases like hip dysplasia common to so many breeds. There are no puppy mills and all farms are subject to strict inspections. Failure of an inspection can lead to the loss of a license and a lifetime ban from the NGA. State Gaming and Agriculture Departments also inspect the farms and kennels. A greyhound breeder gets infinitely more scrutiny than any other breeder.

Lizbud, you've tried to denigrate greyhound owners and breeders on here before with your ignorance, name-calling and propaganda. My guess is that you've never been to a farm, never seen the inside of a kennel, nor visited a track. You know nothing about greyhounds yet you persist in your statements based entirely on supposition and hearsay. Your arrogance and utter disregard of the facts is appalling.

[Suki Wingy]

I am glad they arent being euthenized! Dog racing is just not for me, I will have to stick to horse racing, the horses are treated like gods, and the sucessful like a life of lugury on farms and most of the unsucsessful go to homes like my Player.

[jcsperson]

Originally posted by Suki Wingy
Dog racing is just not for me, I will have to stick to horse racing, the horses are treated like gods, and the sucessful like a life of lugury on farms and most of the unsucsessful go to homes like my Player.

The life of luxury? Sounds like my dogs!

Have you ever been to a greyhound farm, kennel or track?

[lv4dogs]

Thanks for the update on Dakin, I just learned of it earlier this morning.
I guess Dakin is bogus, they scam all the time.

The first link is bogus.

They are all safe!