Cross Breeds

Are "greyhound rescues" legitimate, or do they ultimately support the dog racing industry?

How do the rescue groups obtain the dogs? Are they actively trying to end dog racing?

Public Comments

1. i hope they advocate an end to dog racing!!!!!! they rescue retired racing dogs who would otherwise be abandoned, starved/beaten to death, etc.
2. Whether they actively try to end dog racing varies from group to group, but yes, they are legitamate. Greyhounds are only allowed to run for a few years. I can't remember whether it's until they are 3 or 5. Then they are mandated to retire. Without rescue groups they would all be put down. I think I read about a year ago that 10 years ago 60,000 greyhounds were put down every year and now we are down to about 6,000--which is still shameful, but much better.
3. Many of them work collaboratively with the racetracks, and provide the tracks with an alternate ending for dogs that don't cut it as racers, which is most of them. The groups run a thin line between rescuing the dogs, trying to do what they can to raise awareness and yet not alienating the group they're trying to work with. If they alienate the track breeders, they won't get the dogs turned over to them, and that won't help the dogs in the long run. So, yes, in one way, the are cooperating with the tracks, but it's necessary to do that to get the dogs out of there. Make sense?
4. they do not support the racing industry. you're saving a dog that would be euthanized. rescue centers only charge to make sure you're serious about adopting and to pay for their facilities
5. They are basically what they say. They RESCUE. most of the time, once greyhounds are done racing, they are either thrown out or sometimes killed. i mean, hey, they're no use to the trainers anymore. It's very cruel. for the most part, they just take the dogs. they don't neccessarily support it or oppose it. they just care about the dogs. if you are thinking of adopting, i'd definitely go with a rescue! they always need to adopt out to make room for new dogs. it's a great thing to adopt a pet. i've adopted two, and they are FANTASTIC!
6. When people rescue the dogs it is to prevent them from being put to down just because the owners don't want to keep old race dogs that are to slow to race any more. The only way we can stop this is to stop going to and beating on those races.
7. I have a rescued greyhound & if she had not been adopted out she would have anded up in a mass grave with all the others who failed at racing, with a bullet in her head. In NSW Australia the Greyhound racing authority helps groups like G.A.P. to ensure as many ex-racers as possible don't die because they couldn't run fast enough or was to old to continue racing. G.A.P obtains the potential adoptees through the greyhound racing authority who are contacted by racing greyhound breeders.
8. Their goal is not to end dog racing. Their goal is to take dogs that would be put down and find them homes. They are not enabling racing. Go to any track in Florida and ask around and there will be people who will hand you greyhounds so they won't have to put them down. If you want to end dog racing, you have to take a legislative route. The rescuers are just trying to find dogs homes. They get them for free.
9. They are legitimate. These are dedicated people. No group supports the racing industry and some even actively work to end it, as well as many greyhound welfare organizations. They obtain the dogs through the tracks and/or the breeders. It all depends. There was a time the tracks/breeders wouldn't bother and would just mass euthanize the dogs.. in horrible and un-humane ways (the Spanish galgos are still treated this way). More and more often the tracks and breeders work with adoption groups. ALL greyhounds have to retire at some point, but many of them don't get that far. Adoption groups are there for the dogs. They are a wonderful breed that deserves the second chance. Even though I love the breed, I would love to see racing end tomorrow. Sadly, until the human animal has lost its love of blood and money, I don't think it'll happen. Luckily for the greyhounds, there are people who care. Adoption rates are climbing higher and higher every year as more and more people find out how wonderful greyhounds are.
10. Virtually all are legitimate in trying to home the dogs. But while some are actively trying to end racing, some are actually set up & supported BY the trainers, owners, & tracks themselves so the racing supports them. This has been going on on a small scale forever - before there WERE formal rescue groups (know someone who got such a dog nearly 40 yrs ago). I don't think any get the dogs in any way but a trainer calling - can you take Fido who's retiring- and from tales the trainer vary from those who will expend no effort to assist the rescue to get the dog to those who will move heaven & earth to get them to the rescue.... Now I amature race (our dog go home & sleep on the bottom of the bed) and CAN say the racing itself is not mean (dogs love it) and very much do not want all racing outlawed ...
11. Some are very aggressive in trying to stop the racing the NGAP in Phila. on Dutton Rd is some of the adoption agency's are not as vocal because they say they want to stay friendly so the track will give the dogs for adoption and won't get rid of the dogs in an inhumane way, I don't know the right or wrong way as long as the dogs don't suffer and it seem like the NGAP that I got my 2 greys from has a great facility for them the director loves these dogs and does fight to end racing and still saves the dogs and I think in some cases gets dogs that maybe the others don't go the extra step to get, the dogs from NGAP get wonderful health care they have a med. facility and they match the dogs with owners in a careful process, I just love the breed and I know where I got mine does fight for these dogs