April is National Adopt-A-Greyhound Month

April is National Adopt-A-Greyhound Month
Track Closings Have Endangered Hundreds of Racing Dogs 

WASHINGTON, PA (PittsburghNewsWire.com) — Greyhound racing tracks are closing across the country due the economy, competition from casinos and in some states like Massachusetts, state legislation banning racing. Hundreds of these “professional athletes” lost their jobs over the last year. Some have lost their lives. In October 2010, more than 30 racing greyhounds were found dead at a track in Florida, and dozens of others around the country have been abandoned to fend for themselves.

 

Greyhounds can reach speeds of 40 miles per hour within a few steps. Even so, and contrary to popular belief, racing greyhounds aren’t looking for another athletic challenge once their career is over. Greyhounds are a strong, muscular dog breed, but after as many as 5 or 6 years and hundreds of races, they prefer a more sedentary lifestyle. After all that time at the track, most of these dogs dream of finding a nice, warm spot to sleep the day away.

 

Since 2009, greyhound rescue leagues around the nation have worked to alert the public to this wonderful dog breed that is just waiting to be placed into loving, caring homes. Public service announcements about greyhound adoption will be airing on television stations across the country during the month of April and beyond.

 

Hurry Home Hounds is a local volunteer organization dedicated to relocating retired racing greyhounds to permanent, loving families looking to add a little joy to their lives.  Their staff of volunteers is dedicated to finding homes for these gentle dogs. Co-founder Craig Baker said, “Volunteers are available to give interviews, educate schools, staff ‘meet and greets’, participate in community events, and accept donations for retired racing greyhounds. We want to show the public how appreciative these dogs are of the love they receive.”

 

 

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