Photo: lizadaly/Flickr
Generally, once the dogs retire they're euthanized, but rescue groups all over the country are working to make that a passé retirement plan. One example is the Greyhound Friends of New Jersey (GFNJ), which sponsors today's annual Greyhound Adoption Day event held at the Bergen Community College in New Jersey.
"In our 22 years, Greyhound Friends of New Jersey has saved the lives of thousands of retired racing greyhounds," GFNJ volunteer, Lynne Heller tells Paw Nation. "Just this week, we'll take in 23 dogs from tracks where they faced being euthanized. Our volunteers are dedicated to educating the public about the breed and finding the right home for each greyhound we rescue."
Greyhound Adoption Day events inform prospective adopters about greyhounds, correcting the false assumption that the dogs are hyperactive. According to Heller, "The opposite is actually true. While these dogs should have a good walk on a leash or romp in a fenced yard each day, they spend most of their time as couch potatoes!"
Adoptive pet owners couldn't agree more. "I love greyhounds!" dog expert Sheryl Matthys tells Paw Nation. "My first greyhound, Shiraz, has changed my life and she was the inspiration for me to start LeashesandLovers.com -- a community to connect all dog lovers around the world."
"Before retiring," explains Matthys, "Shiraz raced for 2 1/2 years at the Plainfield, CT racetrack before it closed. Since I adopted her, she's become a certified therapy dog and we've visited many hospitals and cancer centers."
Across the country, popularity for adopting retired greyhounds has grown leaps and bounds, partly due to their loving nature, and partly because of increased education and awareness from Greyhound rescue organizations.
"I have five retired racing greyhounds," says Alisha Navarro, who sits on the board of directors for Greyhound Friends of North Carolina. "I also own three companies that were born out of my love of greyhounds. Greyhounds are wonderful pets. They are 'sprinting' animals so they get their energy out in a short period of time and then they sleep the rest of the day."
Navarro cautions that "since greyhounds don't have much body fat, they can't live outside in extreme temperatures. And because they are sight hounds, they can never be off leash in a non-fenced in area."
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I never thought of the plight of the greyhound before. Thanks for the
info. Of course adopting any shelter dog is a GREAT thing!
Greyhounds are very loving pets and they don't need to be run all day long!
I'm glad to hear that someone is doing something for the plight of greyhounds
My neighbors have rescued two greyhounds and have found them to be wonderful, loving companions. They have certainly been nice "dog" neighbors!
What a well written story. I had no idea greyhounds only raced for 2 years. It's almost abusive to encourage racing just for human pleasures! Kudos to the folks who are taking part in adopting a beautiful breed. Having worked with other animal shelters it's encouraging to know people do care about our fellow canines.
Very nice information. Petsmart has sometimes offered Greyhounds for adoption onSaturday. I have not seen them do it recently, but I hope they are back and have a lot of success finding homes for these great dogs.
I recently had the pleasure of meeting some of these beautiful animals that were up for adoption. Glad this story is letting more people know about the situation. Thank you!
I appreciate Riley's informative article about greyhounds. When I think about how the greyhound dog breed suffers in the dog racing industry...isn't it time for this kind of gambling sport to be banned? I mean why isn't PETA leading the charge against this kind of animal cruelty? Riley wrote that these dogs are only used for two years -- this is such a short time. Greyhounds truly appear to be a most disposable feature in dog racing.
The amount of work and love that the volunteers of GFNJ put into saving as many of these dogs as they can is amazing; I have been a volunteer with them for 15 years and they are an incredibly devoted group of people. These dogs are so loving and it is just tragic that some of them are simply disposed of when their racing careers are over. My deepest thanks to all of you who support our efforts.
I found this an interesting article because as a child my father would on occasions take me to the 'White City Dog Track' to watch the races.
It would be years later that I would learn about these dogs fate.
Grey hounds are a lovely breed of dog who descended from Arabian Slougi and were first introduced to England around 900 AD. They were originally used as hunters of deer and wild boars.
It's great that groups such as 'Greyhound Rescue' do a wonderful job of placing most of these dogs into placement homes at the end of their racing lives.
Linzi
Another fantastic article about the efforts of Greyhound rescue groups such as the Greyhound Friends of New Jersey. Their dedication and efforts ensure that thousands of one of the most perfect and friendly dogs have forever homes to share their love with. Keep up the Greyt work GFNJ!
I would love to adopt a grayhound if I could. My sister had one and he was a very devoted pet. But you have to have a place to realy keep one and at my age and with 2 little loveable poodles it would not be possiable. But they are the greatest dogs to have.
We had two Greyhounds in our neighborhood when we lived in New York. I would always look forward to visiting with them when out for their several daily walks.
Such sweet and devoted dogs. I have very mixed feelings about their racing, although many people tell me they love to run. It is the conditions under which they are kept at many tracks that is deplorable.
Thanks for a terrific read.
I HAVE A BEATUIFUL ITALIAN GREYHOUND 2 YEARSOLD 4 MOTNTH VERY ACTIVITIES DOG. WE GOT HIM WENT HE WAS SIX MONTH OLD WE ADORED HIM.
THANK YOU READ
MARIA COLOBN
NEW YORK CITY
I have two adopted greyhounds. They are the most loving, even-tempered, sensitive, quiet dogs ever. I would have no other kind of dog. They love people and want to be with you all the time. More people should rescue them, and racing should be stopped as it is cruel what happens to them when they are no longer making money. End greyhound racing!
My husband and I became involved with greyhound rescue several years ago due to the information provided on the abuse of these regal animals during their racing years. After the adoption of our first greyhound, we have now adopted a total of six dogs, two of which are now deceased, and have fostered several. These animals are true companions, bonding with their owners after a few weeks of adoption. They are certainly one of the easiest breeds to care for (we've had several other kinds of dogs, including mutts). Of our surviving four greyhounds, three are certified therapy dogs that visit women's shelters, psychiatric care units, nursing homes, children centers, etc. All of which, both the dogs and we tremendously enjoy and look forward to. Our only wish is that more people become interested in adopting 'throw away' dogs, regardless of breed. In closing, however, our greyhounds are our pride and joy, watching them develop into such wonderful companions.