The industry would likely have died out years ago but
for a law requiring cardrooms and slot-machine facilities to also have an active race track. Card-based gambling essen- tially subsidized the tracks for years while state revenue from racing has declined 60.8 percent over the last 10 years.
While we are not in an emergency adoption situation
yet, many Greyhounds are already up for adoption and this will increase in the next two years as tracks close. Shelters in Florida are already full of healthy dogs begging for a new home because 34 percent of our population still buys a puppy from a mill rather than rehoming the forlorn in for- gotten shelters. As the caretaker for a couple of Greys, I want to put
out a rallying call or ‘lure’ for potential adoptees. I’ve always been a bit of a sucker for a dog, but I fell head-over-heels for this breed when I moved to Florida and lived with my sister for a few years – she had two. Prior to that, I’d only seen Greyhounds once – at a track where they looked vicious running muzzled after a lure. How wrong I was. Let’s just say this is not a breed for personal security or exercise. I once read an article that listed the breed as a good choice for introverts. That’s a good description. They are quiet, sleep most of the day (18 hours), and only ‘bother’ you for a few minutes of indoor play, a short walk (they don’t do distance), food, and the occasional scratch. They are so lazy that I once called my sister while she was at work and insisted she come home immediately because one of the dogs seemed dead. Of course, he wasn’t. They are truly lazy. If you’re not convinced, Google ‘is my Greyhound dead?’ If you are not keen on dog smells or bathing a big dog,
a Greyhound might be for you. They have very little oil on their skin so don’t tend to smell or require bathing beyond once every six months. On the negative side, their teeth need brushing, they won’t retrieve a thrown ball, and many die of osteocarcinoma. Oh, and once they’re on the couch or bed, you may share it but it’s theirs. Google ‘how many Greyhounds does it take to change a bed sheet?’ Fostering is another helpful option. If you want to
support the dogs, but can’t commit to a long-term pet, fostering might be right for you. New retirees need help adjusting to life beyond the track. Everything is foreign – including the car journey to meet you - so these dogs may be very timid and require some hand-paw holding. Your foster group will explain what’s expected, which might include frequent walks for socialization, keeping furniture off limits so that they’re well behaved at a furever home, and crating them when you are out for their safety. If your house is already stretched to the max but your
wallet isn’t, consider donating cash. Many of the agencies listed here are charities that rely on volunteers and donations to help rehome retired racers. Donations go toward medical costs (spay/neuter, dental, etc.), kennel facilities, and food. If you’re unable to support by fostering or adopting, please consider a donation.
U 34 THE NEW BARKER
www.TheNewBarker.com
Y
FLORIDA-BASED GREYHOUND RESCUE AGENCIES. ADOPT. FOSTER. DONATE. •Adoptable Greythounds of Florida
adoptablegreyhoundsofflorida.com •Awesome Greyhound Adoptions
awesomegreyhoundadoptions.org •Bay Area Greyhound Adoptions
bayareagreyhounds.org •Box to the Wire Greyhound Adoption Inc.
box2thewire.org •GREAT (Greyhound Rescue and Adoptions of Tampa)
Great-Greyhound.org •Greyed A Greyhounds Assistance & Placement
greyedagreyhounds.com •Greyhound Pet Adoption, Florida Southeast
GreyhoundPetsFL.org •Greyhound Pets of America
gpaec.com •Greyhounds As Pets of Northeast Florida
greyhoundpetsjax.org •God’s Greyts
godsgreyts.com •Sun State Greyhound Adoption
sunstategreyhounds.org
OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND BUSINESSES OFFERING TO ASSIST: Natalie Conner, owner of Love My Dog Resort in St. Petersburg, has offered the use of her facilities to temporarily foster retiring Greyhounds in between transports. Call 727.545.0141 or 727.826.0102. Mike Merrill of Florida Urgent Rescue has offered to assist with transports as needed. He can be reached at
mike@FloridaUrgentRescue.com Greyhounds In Motion is an all-volunteer transport organization out of Central Florida. Reach out to Tracy Robinson at 419.306.3991.
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