News Release
Greyhounds Abandoned in US Territory of Guam Reach Portland
Portland Oregon, March 4th 2009
Greyhound Pets Of America Northwest
Contact: Carol Vinnacombe
President, GPA Northwest
503-784-1285
As reported February 20th, 2009 by KABC in Fillmore California, "More than 100 Greyhound dogs have been abandoned, left to fend for themselves after a dog-racing track in Guam shut down last fall. Some of the Greyhounds are now starving and others are injured and need medical help." See the KABC story
Greyhound Pets of America Northwest (GPA Northwest) has joined dozens of Greyhound adoption organizations to aid in the care and adoption of these refugee Greyhounds. GPA Northwest will take delivery of 15 Greyhounds from the Guam racetrack on Thursday March 12th. Four of these dogs will remain here in Portland to find their new homes through the GPA Northwest program and eleven will be moved north to the GPA Greater Northwest program in Seattle, WA.
"This is a cooperative effort between several Greyhound support and adoption organizations, said Carol Vinnacombe, President of GPA Northwest, our group is working with the primary organizers in California to take several dogs into our program and to help house and transport others to our sister GPA chapter in Seattle. We each do our small part and together all of the Greyhounds get to go home." Supporters are encouraged to call GPA Northwest at 800-366-1472 or visit their website www.gpa-nw.org for more information.
The Greyhounds have been fully examined by veterinarians and they have had all of the usual veterinary care required to make them ready for adoption. These Greyhounds will have the same medical screening and care that all GPA Northwest Greyhounds receive. Even as the dogs from Guam arrive, GPA Northwest is taking a greater number of dogs than usual from here in Oregon into our program as well as other areas of the country that have far too many Greyhounds and not enough homes.
About GPA Northwest
GPA Northwest is a non-profit corporation and tax-exempt 501c3 organization. It is a chapter of Greyhound Pets of America, a national network of Greyhound adoption groups. GPA Northwest is staffed entirely by unpaid volunteers; all donations and other revenues are dedicated entirely to supporting its Greyhound adoption program.
GPA Northwest's purpose is to help retired racing Greyhounds find homes. We have never discriminated against a Greyhound because of its origin or its past history. Besides the usual flow of retiring Greyhounds, we regularly take in Greyhounds from racetracks that close, breeders that are leaving the business and even animal shelters. We do not deny any Greyhound acceptance into our program, whether that Greyhound was originally placed by GPA Northwest or not. The GPA Northwest Adoption Program is not closed or limited, we are dedicated to our mission and with the help of our amazing volunteers and supporters, the Greyhounds are being helped more than ever in 2009. GPA Northwest welcomes volunteers from all walks of life, regardless of whether they have adopted a Greyhound. All that is required is a love of animals, and a willingness to work.
GPA Northwest Mission Statement
The mission of Greyhound Pets of America Northwest is to locate responsible, loving homes for Greyhounds that fail to qualify or no longer qualify for the racetrack and to educate the public about the Greyhounds, stressing their desirability as pets.