Greyhound adoption

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A "Retired Racer" Greyhound

Greyhound adoption or Greyhound rescue programs focus on helping Greyhounds move from racing - where in some countries they live in kennels on the track - to homes.

Contents

[edit] Background

Some Greyhounds are adopted as pets after they retire from racing. A few pups are adopted directly into homes, most often due to injury at a young age. Various veterinarians, rescue organizations and kennel owners estimate that tens of thousands of greyhounds are euthanized due to an inability to win races, injury, or age, causing them to be no longer profitable to their owners (often at 3 to 5 years old). Greyhounds can live to over 12 years of age if given proper medical care.

Currently, most Greyhound adoption programs are based in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United States. In Europe groups deal with dogs from a variety of sources; for example, in Spain, ex-hunting dogs are often in need of rescuing along with Greyhounds.

[edit] Origins and Work of the Greyhound Adoption Movement

The Greyhound adoption movement grew out of a concern by a diverse community of people about the poor welfare, ill health and short length of life among dogs in the commercial racing industry.

The major concerns of these citizens is that many dogs are bred for racing, but few prove to be winners. Consequently, since racing is a for-profit business, breeders, trainers and kennel owners who lease dogs to race tracks must make the most they can on each dog at the least expense. Many people within the gaming and breeding industry say they truly love the breed and do not wish to see their dogs suffer. Critics of the industry counter that, although a few good owners may dote on their dogs, the majority of dogs in the racing system endure difficult, sometimes deadly conditions. They point to the fact that kennel owners can only make a profit if they have a large number of dogs to earn them money. Critics also point out that greyhounds are wholly at the mercy of kennel owners and track managers who often do not have enough time or money to care for the dogs at a given track. Thus greyhounds are subject to various problematic industry practices: 22-23 hour-per-day confinement in crates, long periods of travel in stock trailers in all weather conditions, being raced while injured with broken legs and toes, limited veterinary care, handlers' amputation of broken tails on site with no analgesic or veterinarian present, flea, worm and tick infestations in kennels, inappropriate diets like "4-D" meat made from animals who arrive dead or dying at slaughterhouses, chronic diarrhea from inappropriate feeding, extreme exposure to heat and cold, inhumane euthanasia by gun shot, drowning or hanging, humane but elective euthanasia of dogs who lose races but are otherwise healthy.

Among the first greyhound adoption groups is Greyhound Friends (www.greyhound.org), founded in 1983 by Louise Coleman in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Now based in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, the group has moved thousands of greyhounds into adoptive homes since its inception. Greyhound Pets of America (GPA) was established in 1987 for the purpose of finding homes for ex-racing greyhounds, and educating the public on the suitability and availability of greyhounds as pets. GPA is the largest non-profit greyhound adoption group.[citation needed] Since its creation GPA has adopted out over 65,000 greyhounds.[citation needed] In 1989 David Wolf founded the National Greyhound Adoption Program (NGAP) mostly with his own resources. He has become the most controversial figure in the greyhound adoption community, and is one of the most outspoken critics of the greyhound racing industry.[citation needed] The Greyhound Project maintains a directory of hundreds of greyhound adoption agencies throughout the world.[9]

Over time as the number of adoption groups has grown, a deep ideological division regarding Greyhound racing has developed. Some groups are generally opposed to any form of Greyhound racing for any purpose. Others are officially racing neutral, meaning they neither oppose nor endorse dog racing. Many race tracks and racing dog owners support Greyhound adoption.[citation needed]

Historically Greyhounds have had a reputation for being gentle, people-centered dogs, and "par-excellence for persons wishing for a companion for themselves or their children."[1] When Greyhound adoption first started in the United States, many people associated with racing argued that Greyhounds did not make suitable pets. However, as the number of greyhounds successfully transitioning from tracks to households has risen, many people have come to believe that greyhounds are good companions. They describe Greyhounds as gentle and affectionate dogs who adapt easily to household life because they have clean, short coats and require only moderate exercise.

GREY2K USA is a prominent lobby and education group based in Massachusetts, founded by Christine Dorchak & Carey Theil. The group was active in the movement in that state to prevent the proposed delay of the Massachusetts Greyhound Protection Act, also known as Massachusetts Question 3, which would have postponed the date by which all dog racing was to cease in Massachusetts. In November 2008, 54% of voters in that state overturned the delay, winning in 12 out of 14 districts. On December 31, 2009 dog racing will cease in the state. Tracks that defy the law will thereafter subject to fines of $20,000 per day.[2]

[edit] Care by adoption groups

[edit] Medical care

Typically when a group or individual picks up a Greyhound from the racetrack they need a significant amount of basic medical care:

[edit] Living conditions

Greyhounds living with adoption groups generally receive one of two types of care: pet boarding kennels or foster homes. Several adoption groups use pet boarding kennels, which are similar but superior to those used by the tracks in the United States. These kennels generally allow larger spaces for each dog than provided at the tracks; the dogs also receive much more time in outdoor runs. Other groups feel that the best way to prepare the dogs for living in homes is to provide them with a foster home. The adoption group generally pays for the medical care and food for the dogs in their care, while allowing the foster "family" to train the dog and provide for his or her day-to-day needs.

There is some debate within the adoption community about which technique is better. The trade off is essentially quality of living situation vs. number of animals helped. It is generally accepted that keeping former racers in pet boarding kennels, the group can help a larger number of dogs more effectively, while groups that have a foster program can provide a better living situation for the dog more quickly. Some groups who use kennels also cite the hardship on the dog in becoming attached to a foster family and then being moved to their permanent homes.

[edit] Behavior of adopted greyhounds

A blue female greyhound relaxing

Like any dog, greyhounds vary widely in their temperament, behavior, levels of activity, and in virtually all other aspects of their personality. As they are accustomed to a particular regimented environment at the track, they may adapt to life in a human home slowly, gradually overcoming fears of new sounds and experiences. Greyhounds may not immediately understand windows and glass doors, attempting to move through them, and may require an introduction to staircases and slippery floor surfaces.[citation needed] Trainability varies, as with any breed, but many are highly food or toy motivated and therefore very trainable.[citation needed]

Although usually well-socialized with other greyhounds, ex-racers often have limited skills for living outside a dog track. However, most Greyhounds are quick learners. They tend to be out-going, happy and sociable with people and seem to relish human contact, even following owners from room to room at home (known colloquially as being a "Velcro dog"). Some Greyhounds are more timid and can for a time have difficulty coping with new people or situations. A period of rehabilitation and a dedicated owner usually helps nervous "Retired Racers" become more confident. A few people also report that they have known "Greys" who at first fear other dog breeds until sufficiently exposed. As the lure used to train greyhounds for racing resembles a rabbit, retired racers sometimes also mistake smaller dogs for a lure, causing them to set chase. Similarly, small animals including cats may also be the subject of prey-driven behavior by some greyhounds. Prior to adoption, agencies generally screen greyhounds for their suitability around small animals especially by way of "cat testing" in which a dog is carefully exposed to a cat to see his or her interest level.[citation needed]

Greyhound puppy and cat

Some Greyhounds have a strong prey drive, having been bred to hunt and chase. For a few Greyhounds this urge can be difficult or impossible to overcome through training.[citation needed] Frequently, Greyhound adoption agencies require owners to keep them on-leash at all times, except in fully enclosed areas. A few agencies will also advise owners to keep their greyhounds muzzled around other dogs with which they are not familiar.[3]

Greyhounds have very thin skin and very short fur. They can be easily harmed by biting or scratching from other dogs or accidentally running into sharp objects. Combined with their low body fat, coats or sweaters are required when outside in cold weather. Some owners also put boots on their Greyhounds in very cold temperatures.

In the home, the vast majority of greyhounds are easily trained for housebreaking. Some people suspect Greyhounds consider the house to be an extension of their crate, and thus will not voluntarily urinate or defecate indoors except in exigent circumstances, such as severe intestinal upset.[citation needed]

Greyhounds enjoy resting on beds and sofas, often sleeping or dozing 16 hours a day or more. They often "dig up" their bedding materials like blankets to create a pile that can cushion their deep rib cage, which can make it difficult for them to get comfortable. Particularly common in sleeping among Greyhounds is the so-called "roach" or "cockroach" sleeping position, in which a Greyhound will roll onto his/her back and spread his/her legs at odd angles in all directions, in a position reminiscent of deceased cockroaches who are often found on their backs.

Greyhound adopter and public education events are found wherever ex-racers are re-homed. Some are small local gatherings hosted by adoption groups; others are regional events drawing participants (dog and human) from great distances. It is common to find Greyhound outreach at local pet stores and other public events in which members of the community can see "retired racers" and speak to rescue group volunteers. The largest event for rescued Greyhound owners is the Greyhounds Reach the Beach[4], which takes place in Dewey Beach, Delaware in the United States. Two to four thousand dogs and their human escorts generally attend this event.

[edit] See also

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[edit] References

  1. ^ George A. Palmer, Secrets and Mysteries of Educating Animals (Portland, IN: Sun Job Printing Department, 1890), 61-62.
  2. ^ http://www.grey2kusa.org/action/ma.html press release
  3. ^ While some owners disagree or ignore this advice, adoption groups like those linked here are generally very clear about this requirement. For the best interests of the breed in general they encourage owners to be cautious with Greyhounds because on the track they are trained to run, chase and bite regardless of weather or injury or individual desire, while at the same time breeders select dogs with a strong prey drive for breeding. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]
  4. ^ http://www.adopt-a-greyhound.org/dewey/ Dewey 'Reach the Beach!' website

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