Click on any of the photos to enlarge them.
Practically every Saturday a parking lot somewhere offers the same scene. A misguided, though sometimes well meaning pet owner sits in the back of a pick-up truck. Inside the bed of the truck is a cardboard box with a sign “Free Puppies” or “Free Kittens”. Little furry heads peer out of the box not knowing what their future holds. Though the pet owner was negligent in not sterilizing the pet that produced the litter, giving away the litter only serves to compound the problem of pet overpopulation in this county. The owner’s intent to find the offspring a good home often ends in a horrible tragedy for the puppy or kitten that someone takes home for “free”. The following explains why progressive cities have ordinances banning “free give a ways”.
Paying a fee for a pet shows good faith on the part of the new owner and demonstrates their willingness to properly care for the animal. There is no such thing as a “free” pet. By the time a cat or dog is checked out by a vet, including shots, worming, health testing, and spay/neuter, a “free” pet will easily cost in excess of $100. If a person cannot afford to pay an adoption fee for a pet, how will they be able to afford the normal expenses of proper care? How will they ever afford vet bills when the pet gets sick? The policy will be to have all adopted pets sterilized before adoption. This will require a minimum adoption fee to cover the cost of sterilization.
What can happen to a pet that is given free to a casual and uncommitted owner?
1) Abandoned to the streets. This is the most likely scenario that occurs when an uncommitted owner tires of a pet. Street animals suffer every day of their short lives. The end always comes painfully, either from violent trauma or from lingering disease.
2) Handed over to Animal Control and euthanized. People who do not take their responsibilities seriously always take the easy way out!
3) Marginally Owned. The pet will not be cared for properly and is often allowed to roam the streets to breed at will.
4) Abused. The owner will not make the effort to properly train the animal. Often this leads to inappropriate responses from the owner and abuse of the pet when it “misbehaves”
There are people who routinely obtain animals for profit by fraudulently obtaining dogs given away for free. They are usually very persuasive and friendly. They know all the “right” answers to your questions because they do this on a regular basis
What can happen to an animal if you let a con artist have it?
1) Used to “live train” fighting dogs. The animal you expected to be a pet is used to bait a fighting dog and is literally torn to pieces.
2) Sold at Flea Markets or Auctions to anybody who happens along. Most of the time these animals are neglected, kept in cramped, unsanitary conditions and often become sick and diseased.
3) Sold to a Class-B Dealer who then resells the animal to a research facility. People who practice the despicable act of rounding up strays to sell them are referred to as “Bunchers”. At the research facility, the animal may suffer abuse and most likely will be euthanized after they are finished with it.
4) Used for breeding stock in a “Puppy Mill”. The living conditions in most of these establishments are deplorable. Bitches have continuous litters, one after the other.
5) Used as live food or bait for exotics (snakes or alligators).
6) Sacrificed in cult rituals. Some people find this hard to believe, but the FBI has many files documenting this kind of activity in our country.
Spay or neutering your pet is the key to pet overpopulation control. Don’t put yourself in a situation where you have a litter of puppies or kittens to “get rid of”.
These procedures are already in place for anyone wanting to adopt a retired racing greyhound as well as other safety checks, such as home visits, etc…some of which people may believe are invasive. However, it is in the best interest of all involved for this to take place, most certainly the greyhound as we will do everything in our power to insure the rescued dog is not taken from one bad situation and placed in another. Those potential adopters who truly have the dogs best interest at heart understand these safeguards and are more than happy to comply.
Hi
If you want to meet people when you’re out on a walk with a dog, there is no other dog I know of that gets the amount of attention a greyhound does. Everywhere you go people point and stare and hope you pass by them so they can ask questions or find out more about this gorgeous creature. As the fastest dog on the planet and the 2nd fastest accelerating land animal on the planet, people are always curious about this regal breed that can attain a speed of 45 mph from a standing start its first 3 strides. What allows the greyhound to reach that type of acceleration, is its lean but extremely muscular build, biggest heart, and greatest area of fast-twitch muscle associated with any breed as well as the double suspension gallop and also the extreme versatility of the spine.
Walking one of these “lightning bolts on a leash” is like walking with a celebrity, almost everyone you meet wants to know more about them and for most it is the first time they have actually had a chance to see one up close and personal. Common remarks are; they’re so soft or they’re so gentle and placid.
Some people ask about the tattoos in the ex racing greyhound’s ears. There are 2 numbers, one in each ear. One is the track number, the other is the year they were born and the order in the litter. With these, you will find the whole pedigree all the way back to the end of the 1800’s. Some people say the number does not prove birth order as most owners do not mark them in order. I don’t know, maybe some do and some don’t. In any event, to find that dogs pedigree, log on to http://www.greyhound-data.com, type in the number and presto…there it is!
Another question I hear from people is about the size of the greyhound’s heart…a greyhound’s heart weight ranges from 1.18 to 1.73% of their body weight, which is higher than an elite racehorse at 1.0-1.3% of its body weight. Other types of dogs have a heart weight equal to 0.77% of their body weight, and compare those to 0.5% for humans. So you can see the greyhound has the highest blood volume of any athlete, relative to its body size. All this means that the Greyhound heart is not only larger and more efficient than any other dog’s, but outperforms that of a thoroughbred racehorse.
One other thing I am asked frequently and something that is very important to some people deals with dog odor. Well, due to incredibly small sebaceous glands, the short hair and very low body fat, Greyhound’s exude little or no characteristic “doggy odor”. You can have three or four greyhounds in your home and not notice them near as much as you will that one Lab or Shepard, Doberman, etc. This also transforms into more domestic tranquility as greyhound’s are very affectionate dogs towards those that they know and trust. For centuries different greyhounds have been allowed to hunt and race together, so aggressiveness towards other dogs and people has been almost totally eliminated from the breed. This also means that owning several Greyhounds can be a calmer experience than having those breeds listed above (and many others) that will engage in continuous “pecking” as puppies.
Look closely and you can see the ear tattoo
Today marks one year we have had Vladimir & Vitali as members of our family. They are wonderful boys and have brought so much joy into our lives and so much attention. Walking down the street with a greyhound is like walking with a celebrity, I’m serious, ask other greyhound owners, people are naturally drawn to them and most have never actually seen one close up. They are some truly amazing creatures, as gentle and loving as they are fast. They have made such a huge impact on our lives and helped further open our eyes to all of the greed and callousness of the industry they were born into.
We also became aware of the differences involving the groups who act as lifelines for these gentle creatures after they are no longer of use to the racing industry. Many of these groups say the are “neutral” when in fact, that’s just a word thrown out there to try to pacify both sides, most “neutral” groups are funded in part by the racing industry. In fact, if you’re looking at the big picture, what good is it to be “neutral”, what are you accomplishing, except helping to prolong the inevitable demise of this cruel, barbaric spectacle. How can you be “in the middle”, you either are for something or against it. The main focus of any greyhound rescue organization should be to put themselves out of business by getting racing banned in every state (and worldwide). If you’re not working toward that end, you are part of the problem (not the solution) as you are prolonging the killing and injuries and suffering of these magnificent animals. Even if your rescue adopts out more dogs than most, you are helping to keep the industry alive if you are going along with the program and keeping your mouth shut, thereby perpetuating the further breeding and culling of pups and other dogs deemed unfit for racing and putting countless others in harms way.
Greyhounds are absolutely gorgeous dogs that are well known for their ability to race. As the second fastest land animal on the planet, they are revered… as long as they can run. When they cannot, they are simply disposed of in whatever way the trainer sees fit. This means that many are abandoned or put down. As a result, greyhound dog rescue is incredibly important and something that more people should be educated about.
Greyhound dog rescue is a niche area because there are a number of groups that are dedicated to rescuing greyhounds. A few dogs are treated well whilst in racing service, but the vast majority are not. They are forced to almost continuously wear muzzles, are pulled and jerked around and are often claustrophobic after finding themselves in small cages for hours on end on a daily basis. The owners and trainers that do treat them well tend to find good homes for them when they are retired, unfortunately the vast majority do not.
Greyhounds are often abandoned or put down as soon as they are injured or cannot race. This means that they may be abandoned and actually wander around a strange environment until found, if they are lucky. However, there are a number of greyhound specific dog rescue groups that cater to greyhounds exclusively and do their best to find them new homes that they can settle into. The more people that adopt them, the more openings there are so other greyhounds can be rescued and rehomed.
Greyhounds are wondrous creatures and make excellent family pets, which makes dog rescue all the more important for them. They are really placid, loving and very low maintenance because they enjoy their own space. If anyone is looking to dog rescue for his or her next pet, look for a greyhound! It is very rewarding and satisfying to know that someone cares for them and gives them the attention and love they deserved but went without for the first few years of their lives.
Greyhounds are as fast as they are smart, as wise as they are loving. Outdoors, it is a thrill to watch this dog run at full stretch. In short bursts, the greyhound can accelerate to over 60 ft per second within 4 or 5 strides or around 45 mph. The only other land animal that can accelerate faster over a short distance is the Cheetah
Indoors, he becomes a quiet and dignified family member, expecting hugs and petting from his family. Greyhounds are very affectionate, but will not overly dote on you. The Greyhound’s gentle nature makes him a good children’s dog.
Below are a few pics taken at the “Show Me Center” in the Greyhound Pets of America “Meet & Greet” area. This event was in conjunction with the “Home & Garden Show” held in Cape Girardeau, Mo. the weekend of March 16 – 18
As usual, the dogs were a big hit and several people picked up applications and brochures.
Ok, on to the photos!!
The Greyhound is arguably the purest breed on Earth, appearing to have changed little from dogs depicted on the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs.
Bred and prized for their keen eye sight, greyhound dogs are classified as sight hounds, and their build solidly indicates the intentions of the breeders for speed in this breed. They are the fastest dogs on earth, reaching top speeds of over 45 miles per hour in little under three seconds, but don’t let that impressive fact fool you. Greyhound dogs are vastly considered by their owners to be gentle, 45 mile per hour couch potatoes. They thoroughly enjoy slacking and loafing and are never high strung or hyper, and they rarely allow any other animals to “get their goat”. Cool as cucumbers, these sprinters are happy with a 20 minute walk each day as the proper amount of exercise. They are graceful dogs that are frequently compared to cats due to their calm and reserved behavior. They are not aggressive, which make them perfect companions for children and the elderly.
Greyhound dogs were the target of a horrible respiratory disease epidemic which found hoards of them dead and 1200 more of them quarantined during the year 2006. This greyhound flu also occurred in other breeds, however, it was so much more ferocious because of the spread of it around the tracks and kennels due to the close living proximity of greyhound dogs. The most prominent causes of death in greyhound dogs are track injuries and respiratory illnesses, but they tend to live long lives when enjoyed as pets or rescued from the racing industry. Unfortunately, in years past, there were huge numbers of these gorgeous creatures killed by track personnel just because they were too slow, had lost too many races, were injured beyond their capability to any longer race or any other reason they decided the dogs were no longer needed. The huge number of the dogs that were killed dwarfed in comparison the number that died from any type of natural death. Thankfully, with the rise of many rescue groups this number has dropped dramatically, however the issue still exists.
If you are interested in adopting or acquiring a greyhound as a pet, you will find that there are a great many fans of the breed who have done an outstanding amount of work to save, nurture, and readjust these beautiful dogs for family home life. They are great with kids and they need very little extracurricular games or projects to keep them busy. They are not big chewers, and they will most likely doze peacefully on the sofa while you go about your day, greeting you drowsily when you return. Your male will be tall, at about 30 inches at the wither, and weigh from 70 – 85 pounds. Females, a bit smaller, will measure around 28 inches and from 60 – 75 pounds.
If you just happen to be in the Southeast Missouri or Southern Illinois area, there is a banner link for Greyhound Pets of America (GPA) at the bottom of the page you can click on to get an application to start the process.
Caution – greyhounds can be highly addictive. In most instances, once a greyhound owner, always a greyhound owner. Many times one greyhound pet expands to several at the same time!
Wow, what a wonderful turnout we had today for our monthly Meet & Greet at the Petco store in Carbondale, Il.
There were 20 hounds in attendance and they were all being their usual gorgeous selves and showing everyone why they make such outstanding additions to a household. It was an absolutely beautiful day and the dogs were busy greeting people both in and out of the store. It’s such a treat to see the little kids pet and play with these gentle souls. We also got to see “Taco” and her human Keith, she is such a sweetheart and Keith relayed to us how adopting her was the absolute right thing to do and is the perfect dog for him.
I could go on and on, but I’ll let you off easy and just post some pics for you!
Saturday 2/25/12 was our monthly rescued greyhound get together, also called a “Meet & Greet” at the Cape Girardeau, Mo. Petco location.
We use these Meet & Greets to familiarize people with what rescued greyhounds are like by making our own rescued and adopted dogs available for people to get acquainted with. The people, especially the kids, love it…and so do the greyhounds. The dogs are absolutely thrilled to see their “greyt” friends (other greyhounds) when they arrive and are also delighted and want to meet everyone else who comes in the door. They just cannot get enough of meeting new people!
We had a good turn out with 6 GPA members and 9 greys in attendance. There seemed to be a lot of serious interest in our program and many people picked up information in order to do their homework on what we’re all about and what these wonderful dogs have to offer. Our next M & G will be at the Carbondale, Il. Petco from 1:00 to 4:00 pm on March 10th.
Below are some photos from the 2/25/12 event…enjoy!
The Greyhound is a unique animal. They draw crowds and are the center of attention wherever you take them.
Greyhounds generally are not barkers, (which is beneficial in suburban and apartment environments,) and they are usually as friendly to strangers as they are with their own family.
The key to the speed of a Greyhound can be found in its light but muscular build, largest heart, and highest percentage of fast-twitch muscle of any breed, the double suspension gallop and the extreme flexibility of the spine. “Double suspension rotary gallop” describes the fastest running gait of the Greyhound in which all four feet are free from the ground in two phases, contracted and extended, during each full stride.
A running greyhound at full extension
In ancient times, to be presented with a Greyhound was considered the most prized gift one could receive. Persians believed that the Greyhound was permitted in the next world to give information and evidence about mankind. It was the Egyptians who first raced Greyhounds for sport in open fields with the wild hare as quarry and no rules of the game except speed. In the Early Kingdom, Greyhounds were considered to possess divine powers.
A very common misconception regarding Greyhounds is that they are hyperactive. In retired racing Greyhounds, this is usually not the case Greyhounds can live comfortably as apartment dogs, as they do not require much space and sleep close to 18 hours per day. In fact, due to their calm temperament and the amount of time they spend sleeping, Greyhounds actually make better “apartment dogs” than smaller, more active breeds.
The Greyhound is an ancient as the desert from which it sprung. For thousands of years they were the dog of choice by kings, queens, pharaohs, sheiks, and people of distinction. In early Arabian culture, the birth of a Greyhound was cause of great celebrations and second only in importance to the birth of a son. They were the only dogs permitted to share an Arab’s tent or ride atop his camel. They were also the only dog mentioned by name in the King James Version of the Bible.
Even though Greyhounds are large dogs, they can curl up in a remarkable small space. Some famous Greyhound fanciers were Cleopatra (the first lady of the Greyhound), Queen Elizabeth I, George Washington, Teddy Roosevelt, and General George Custer.
Greyhounds are typically a healthy and long-lived breed, and hereditary illness is rare. Some Greyhounds have been known to develop esophageal achalasia, bloat (gastric torsion), and osteosarcoma. Because the Greyhound’s lean physique makes it ill-suited to sleeping on hard surfaces, owners of companion Greyhounds generally provide soft bedding; without bedding, Greyhounds are prone to develop painful skin sores.
Due to the unique physiology and anatomy of Greyhounds, a veterinarian who understands the issues relevant to the breed is generally needed when the dogs need treatment, particularly when anaesthesia is required. Greyhounds cannot metabolize barbiturate-based anesthesia as other breeds can because they have lower amounts of oxidative enzymes in their livers. Greyhounds demonstrate unusual blood chemistry, which can be misread by veterinarians not familiar with the breed; this can result in an incorrect diagnosis.
Greyhounds have higher levels of red blood cells than other breeds. Since red blood cells carry oxygen to the muscles, this higher level allows the hound to move larger quantities of oxygen faster from the lungs to the muscles. Greyhounds have lower levels of platelets than other breeds. Veterinary blood services often use Greyhounds as universal blood donors.
Greyhounds do not have undercoats and thus are less likely to trigger people’s dog allergies (they are sometimes incorrectly referred to as “hypoallergenic”). The lack of an undercoat, coupled with a general lack of body fat, also makes Greyhounds more susceptible to extreme temperatures; because of this, they must be housed inside.
These fleet-footed dogs are sight hounds. They can spot a moving object up to half a mile away. Their sprinting ability enables them to expend an enormous amount of energy in a short amount of time. They run at their fastest between 40 and 45 mph, making them the second fastest accelerating land animal on Earth, only behind the Cheetah. They can achieve that speed within their first three strides. Their ability to blend speed, coordination and strategy has made them great hunters. Like a forest of trees, Greyhounds are one of the earth’s valued treasures.
WHY ADOPT A GREYHOUND?
Because-
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