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Greyhound Racing and Adoption

© Judy A Tomlinson

Whenever groups of people are together and the talk turns to greyhounds, one subject that is sure to come up is the debate over greyhound racing. As individuals, we all have our own opinion. This article is written to hopefully enlighten many people who really do not know about some of the changes that are being made to greyhound racetracks.

There are many greyhound racetracks in existence, and while some neglect of the greyhound continues to be found, things are changing. My article this week is focused on the positive changes that are taking place. Many racetracks across the country now have their own adoption programs. Many work with established greyhound adoption groups. For example,Greyhound Pets of America/Orange County and Greater Los Angeles Chapter has worked for some time with the Aqua Caliente Track in Tijuana, Mexico. They recently made a trip to this track and brought back 11 dogs to be put up for adoption. What was different about this trip was that it was the first load of dogs taken from the new Aqua Caliente Pet Kennel. This pet kennel is the result of a joint effort of the track owners and management and this California GPA Chapter.

The story goes like this: Approximately six months ago, representatives of the above-mentioned GPA chapter approached the track with the idea of a Pet Kennel. From that proposal the kennel came into existence. Caliente provided the space and staff for the kennel, and GPA provided the material to build the kennel, and food for the dogs in the kennel. This kennel is open to all adoption groups.

The Alabama tracks of Victoryland and Birmingham work with Greyhound Pets of America (Alabama Chapters) placing greyhounds in suitable homes. The Birmingham Race Course adoption program was established in September of 1992. They have provided a separate kennel building for the adoption program.

Arizona Adopt-A-Greyhound, Inc. has an adoption center at Phoenix Greyhound Park. A.A.G.I. is a non-profit agency for the purpose of finding loving homes for retired greyhounds.

One greyhound racetrack in Colorado, Mile High Greyhound Park, has an adoption program called "Recycled Racers." In five years this non-profit program has adopted nearly 700 ex-racing greyhounds.

Derby Lane in St.Petersburg, Florida, has an adoption program at their track. Derby Lane, established in 1925, is the world's oldest continuously operating greyhound track. The Jacksonville Racing Circuit, also in Florida, funds greyhounds as Pets of Northeast Florida. Greyhound Pets of America/Florida Chapter helps place greyhounds from the Palm Beach Kennel Club.

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