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"I didn't have a firm opinion either way before adopting."


I'm pretty new to the greyhound world, adopted our first boy in February. To be honest I didn't have a firm opinion either way before adopting. I had been to the races a few times, but considered myself an animal lover which conflicted in my mind. We had decided in January to adopt/rescue a greyhound.

One of the first things I discovered is greyhounds are not available outside the greyhound community. This frustrated me at first because I was impatient and wanted one now, lol. I searched shelters within 100 miles and found nothing. However, I came to appreciate the care that is taken in vetting out adopters. From checking vet references, personal references, to the home check. The adoption rate for retired greyhounds is nearly 100% and these are all to vetted adopters. I find that amazing and is something most animal advocate groups and shelters cannot say.

The 3-4 weeks it took to complete the adoption process provided the needed time to really research the breed. When we finally did get our boy I felt like I understood the transition he would need into retirement. He transitioned very easily. He came to us happy, healthy, and loved. His previous owner has even kept up with him, which speaks to the love she has for her dogs.

So, I’m now a few months into greyhound ownership, so how do I feel about racing now? I would say I’m pro-racing, anti-abuse. How can I be both? I have come to conclude that most in the industry love the dogs and treat them well. Muzzles and kennels serve a positive need to protect them. I’ve seen some dogs with serious muscles that cannot be achieved by being locked up 23 hours a day like some would allege. For the bad apples that are in the sport for the wrong reasons and do not treat the dogs with the respect they deserve I believe more regulation and punishment is needed. For the few dogs that get hurt I believe safety measures need to be put in place. I don’t believe in eliminating an industry/sport because of a few bad apples. We’ve all seen horror stories from airlines, groomers, breeders, kennels, ect. Should all these industries be eliminated, or course not, but they need regulations. We’ve all seen horror stories of bad pet owners, should pet ownership be banned? What about kids playing sports, many which started or are currently participating to please parents, getting hurt? Should kids sports be banned, or should rules and safety be utilized to reduce injury? In closing, dogs that do not “make the cut” or stop winning are not destroyed, they are adopted. I’ve met dogs that raced less than a dozen races and some that raced over a hundred, now retired. You can’t make a greyhound run, they have to want it. Those that may be injured are treated and adopted out as well whenever possible.

Rebecca Williams
Moundsville, WV

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