Dog News

April is National Greyhound Adoption Month

by ADMIN

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What better month than National Adopt-a-Greyhound month to welcome a beautiful, graceful, and gentle companion into your home? A total of 10 Greyhound racing tracks have closed across the country since the end of 2008, and 25 have closed since 2000. An estimated 500 to 1,000 greyhounds have been displaced as a result of each closing. Add greyhounds that have been retired from still-existing tracks across the country and you have thousands of these vibrant dogs being cared for by adoption groups as they wait to be adopted into permanent homes.

first light
Our adopted racer, Nigel.

Two tracks recently closed in Massachusetts as a result of state legislation banning racing, and the sluggish economy contributed to other closings across the country. April is National Greyhound Adoption Month, and The Greyhound Project is spreading their message of greyhound adoption awareness to ensure that 100 percent of the greyhounds waiting at adoption groups find caring homes.

“Greyhounds are graceful, gentle pets and companions,” said President of The Greyhound Project Michael McCann. “The state of the economy has resulted in fewer adoptions and more surrenders. This factor, along with the track closings, really underscores the importance of finding permanent homes for these wonderful dogs.”

Wonderful is just scratching the surface. We’ve shared our home with a retired racer for many years, and if you’ve not had the good fortune of spending time in the company of Greyhounds, you owe it to yourself to do so. They are a breed apart – ask anyone who admires them and you’re in for an earful. And don’t let the myths fool you: these dogs do not need to run all day. They are supremely lazy, and sleep more than any breed we have known. They also make great apartment dwellers – a bonus for renters. Sold yet? If not, meet one; you’ll be hooked.

Founded in 1992, The Greyhound Project is a volunteer, non-profit organization that knows how special these dogs are, and has made it their mission to promote the welfare and adoption of greyhounds by providing support and information to adoption organizations, adopters, and the public. Please visit www.adopt-a-greyhound.org for more information.