Greyhound Pets of America (GPA), a nonprofit organization, relies entirely on volunteers. A group of people highly experienced in the placement of ex-racing greyhounds founded GPA on April 4, 1987. Individuals throughout the United States have organized chapters and sub-chapters.
GPA takes a neutral position toward greyhound racing. This organization is primarily interested in the welfare of the greyhound.
The nine founding chapters of GPA were: California, Connecticut, Midwest United States, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, upper Ohio Valley (now known as Wheeling Downs), Texas and Virginia. The first National meeting was on Oct. 18, 1987 in Abilene, Kansas. The first year GPA grew from nine chapters to twelve. The most important accomplishments were greyhound placements, and the continuous public education regarding greyhounds as pets. By 1995 there were twenty-seven chapters and thirteen sub-chapters.
In the first year, GPA assisted in placing 100 greyhounds into loving homes. In 1993, 3,188 greyhounds were placed In 1994, 3,802 were placed and In 1995, 4000 greyhounds were placed!
Greyhound Pets of America's philosophy has been to build a relationship with the racing industry that would encourage it to get involved with adoption efforts. Some greyhound racetracks have chosen GPA to handle their track adoption programs. The American Greyhound Council, a racing industry sponsored organization, established for the welfare of greyhounds, began funding the GPA 800# in June of 1990.
To read more about GPA please visit GPA/California-Orange County's section on the national organization.
As the Internet grows, so do the web sites for GPA. Many state chapters now have their own sites. The intention of all these sites remains the same — educating the public about greyhounds and placing them in appropriate homes.
Individual chapter web sites are listed below.
GPA/CA-ORANGE COUNTY has an extremely well organized site.
Emerald Pacific Chapter of GPA serves Washington, British Columbia and Alaska.
San Diego County in California
Maryland serves Maryland, Northern Virginia, Washington D.C, Delaware and Pennsylvania
Oklahoma GPA, the chapter I work with, currently has a web site in the works.
As with all greyhound adoption groups, GPA 's main focus is on the greyhound — finding good, loving homes for these incredible athletes.
REMEMBER: Until one has known and loved a greyhound, a part of one's soul remains unawakened!
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