Greyhound adoption has become an amazing success story. Thanks to unprecedented cooperation and communication between greyhound racing and hundreds of dedicated adoption organizations coast to coast, more than 90 percent of all registered greyhounds are adopted or returned to the farm as pets or breeders when they retire. The goal is to achieve 100 percent placement of all eligible greyhounds in the near future.
Toward that end, greyhound tracks and industry organizations spend more than $2 million annually on track-based and independent adoption efforts. Those managed by the American Greyhound Council include:
Adoption Grants
The AGC grant program offers assistance to local, regional and national adoption groups with some of the expenses associated with placing greyhounds in adoptive homes, including food, medicines, bedding, collars, leashes, and fuel for animal transport.
In 2008, the AGC set aside $100,000 for grants to qualifying local adoption groups. Most grants are in the amount of $1,500, with extra funds available for capital improvement grants and emergency situations. More than sixty organizations receive AGC adoption grants in an average year.
The AGC also dedicates funds each year to Greyhound Pets of America (GPA), the only nationwide adoption organization. With 54 chapters in 34 states, GPA has more than 10,000 volunteer members who find loving homes for as many as 4,800 greyhounds each year.
Adoption Hotline
Since 1990, the AGC has funded a national toll-free adoption hotline operated by Greyhound Pets of America. The hotline receives thousands of inquiries about adoption each year, and refers prospective adopters to the nearest adoption group. The hotline number is 1-800-366-1GPA (1472).
Adoption Events and Conferences
The AGC is an active sponsor and participant in greyhound adoption events and conferences around the nation, including the well-known Greyhounds Reach the Beach mega-gathering at Dewey Beach, Delaware; the Greyhound Pets of America annual adoption conference; the yearly Greyhound Expo hosted by R.O.A.R., Inc. in Massachusetts; and Race the Wind’s Greyhound Gathering, held each year in Abilene, Kansas.
Adoption Training
To enhance the skills and knowledge of adoption volunteers, the AGC underwrites veterinary presentations at adoption conferences, funds production of training videos and distributes educational materials on greyhound health.
Adoption Education
The AGC website features a monthly column by Cynthia Branigan, award-winning author and expert on greyhound adoption. The column, entitled “Notes from the Home Front,” is also carried in the Greyhound Review, the monthly publication of the National Greyhound Association. Branigan offers advice for adoption volunteers on everything from greyhound health and behavior issues to promoting adoption in local communities.
Adoption Person of the Year
In 2007, the American Greyhound Track Operators Association (AGTOA) began recognizing the Greyhound Adoption Person of the Year. Now the AGC administers the award program, designed to recognize an individual who has made exceptional contributions to greyhound adoption. Anyone may nominate a candidate for the award, and any volunteer or paid adoption person in the U.S. or Canada is eligible to receive it.
Greyhound Night of Stars
The American Greyhound Track Operators Association (AGTOA) sponsors a special “Night of Stars” race event each year, with a portion of the net proceeds dedicated to the AGC for adoption efforts. The event is simulcast at multiple tracks across the country, and features live promotions on greyhound adoption between races.
