They cant be left in un-fenced areas, as they will run off. You become part of a family. She had adopted two greyhounds from the laboratory in which she worked. Demand is heavy, she said. With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic throwing a wrench into everyday life, the adoption process has become more condensed. Take for instance a greyhound that the AGAC currently has up for adoption. Our first commitment is to former racers, but we will try to help any hound in need. Current statistics indicate that about 80-85% of the 30,000 greyhounds leaving the track each year are adopted. Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission. West Virginia has two dog tracks, Iowa and Texas have one each. This is not the first time the center has had a large relocation task. BIRMINGHAM Following the recent announcement by the Jefferson County Racing Association that the Birmingham Race Course will no longer host live greyhound racing, the task of rehoming more than 500 retired greyhounds falls to the Alabama Greyhound Adoption Center. Our dogs come from the Caliente race track in Tijuana, Mexico. This means that you'll inevitably have questions and needs, especially in the first few weeks. The first hound did work out great, but the second one has not fit in well at all. It was the last greyhound racing track still operating in Alabama, and one of the last in the U.S. And more trips are in the offing before the summer is over. A lot of times, when they go into the new homes, they look at the food and are like, Are you kidding me? Its like getting McDonalds when youre used to Ruths Chris Steak.. Boswell best described them as being more like teenagers. We develop profiles on every dog in foster care. But remember that you're planning a relationship that will last 10-plus years. Isn't it worth taking the time to make sure you're getting a dog that will be just right for your family? When he was introduced to our small animals he thought they looked like tasty treats, so he would not do well in a home with any. Greyhounds that don't make the grade at the Caliente track basically have nowhere else to go. Up To Date on Flea Prevention a single dose of Simparica is given at the time of surgery by our Veterinarians, Up To Date on Vaccinations (3 year Rabies, DHLPP, and Bordetella), Goes Home With A New Houndstown Martingale Collar, leash, and ID Tag collar set, A weeks supply of Diamond High Energy to allow you to transfer your new hound to the feed you choose to give. The dogs are usually about two or three years old but can live 12 to 14 years. If our veterinarians were able to do them any faster, wed have it all done by next month, she said. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. You don't have to try to explain what your dog is like over the phone to someone who has only seen him in a kennel. If we take in a dog from another source, usually that means one less dog we can rescue from the Caliente track. Here experienced greyhound owners help the dog adjust to all the little things about life in a home that we take for granted. We let you know what we know about the dog, even the less attractive traits, so that you can make an intelligent decision. She thought they were "the most beautiful dog Id ever seen. Shes not sure what shell do when the last dog finds a home. The racing associations Kip Keefer said that while some greyhounds will continue racing at other tracks, nearly 550 remaining dogs will be placed for adoption. Your placement representative, your greyhound's foster family, and our other volunteers are happy to share with you what they know about greyhounds and about adjusting to life with dogs in general. Boswell said the Alabama center has relocated about 500 dogs since April, and still has more than 300 to go. Their intelligence and breed make them perfect house pets, clean, quiet, and a loving companion. Were getting more volunteers in to help us with this. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. It's a great relief to know that folks out there know what you're going through and are ready to help and encourage you. In late April, the Birmingham Race Course announced it would no longer have live greyhound racing, but would instead rely on simulcasting races from other venues. The Alabama Greyhound Adoption Center, which has found homes for thousands of retired greyhounds, now faces the rewarding task of finding the perfect home for the now-retired Birmingham Race Course greyhounds. Fortunately, between 75-80% of greyhounds can live safely with indoor cats, if properly introduced. For the most part, we take as many dogs from the track as we can house and place, month after month, constantly looking for more foster homes to keep up with the constant supply coming from Caliente. Most greyhounds, surprisingly, are calm, lazy and typically quiet. What other breed of dog sees a veternarian twice a week, has their beds made three times a day, are weighed the day before the race, to make sure theyre not gaining too much weight, or losing too much? Greyhounds spend most of their lives in the company of other dogs, their trainers, and handlers. Were looking for responsible owners who have done their research on the breed, she said. Its so extreme that these guys are spoiled. Should a greyhound not work out in a home, or should your lifestyle change radically and you can no longer care for your greyhound, we always take the dog back and find him a new home. An experienced volunteer helps each of the foster families complete a comprehensive questionnaire of each dog's habits and traits. The adoption process could take up to eight weeks, especially if a family is wanting a cat-tolerant greyhound. Greyhounds placed through our program usually are between 18 months and 5years old. He is very attention oriented and will do anything and everything to get it. And the next few weeks look to be busy. Thats why the AGAC tests each greyhound before adoption. And these are lithe, quick, independent dogs used to certain conditions - special diet, regular flea and tick prevention, heartworm monitoring. With us, you never need worry that your dog will end up in a shelter if you can no longer keep him. Thanks to the tremendous efforts of volunteers across the nation, most retired Americanbred racing greyhounds do find homes. In fact, many of these dogs started their racing careers at American tracks. Since the track began, the work of the Alabama Greyhound Adoption Center has been to find new homes for retired dogs. the Birmingham Race Course announced it would no longer have live greyhound racing. Phone lines have been jammed, with those interested in adoption contacting the center through social media and setting up appointments. Inside the house they enjoy curling up in a corner on a soft blanket. But even our vets can only go so fast.. Greyhounds have all the advantages of breeding and training when it comes to being a good pet. These ex-racers are intelligent, quiet, clean, gentle, good-natured, adaptable dogs who adjust readily to their new home environment. Thats a big challenge with all that America is facing.. Thats 6 months of heartworm, roundworm, whipworm, hookworm treatment and control. But this is the first time the center has had to find new homes in the midst of a global pandemic, which restricted travel, shuttered businesses and complicated the process of having each dog spayed or neutered. Before a family does take home a dog, the AGAC essentially match makes the dogs and the family. I know theyre cared for, she said. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (User Agreement updated 1/1/21. "If our truck broke down, God forbid, in any part of the country, all I would have to do is call greyhound nation and say I need help, and its done. Were going to be visiting with two families at once, making sure that the two families are a good distance apart from one another., To adopt, either call the AGAC at (205) 833-6654 or email at AGRACStaff@gmail.com. We also rescue racing greyhounds left at local animal shelters. The Arkansas Greyhound Kennel Association looks to cease racing by 2023. They have the misconception that theyre going to euthanized. Once a greyhound gets into your heart, its pretty impossible to get them out, Boswell said. The agency attempts to learn all they can about a particular family and match their living arrangements, pet situation and lifestyle with a particular greyhound that best fits. Retired Caliente dogs typically are between 18 months and 5 years of age, in good physical condition, beautiful and loving. As of January 2020, your Greyhound will now go home with a 6 month box of Coraxis! Another dog his size would be a good companion for him to have though.. She feels that a program like ours would have helped her find the best match for her family and lifestyle. 2022 Advance Local Media LLC. Boswell said her first encounter with greyhounds was through her godmother, who raised them. They do not require a great deal of space to run, as many people think, but they do need exercise. Whether you are a family looking for a playful friend, or an individual looking for a devoted companion, a well-mannered greyhound could be just the pet for you. So many people are wanting to adopt that have never owned a greyhound before. When you adopt from us, you can be assured that the foster family knows a lot about your greyhound and can help you through questions or difficulties that can arise in the early days of adoption. The ownership of the Birmingham race course has said it would like to eventually bring back live racing. Welcomed To Come Back And Visit With Us During Meet And Greets. Boswell estimates that, since 1996, the center has placed between 13,000 to 14,000 dogs. Were having to do everything we can to keep everybody as protected as we can. And she hopes that the race course eventually revives live track racing. Our goal is to increase this percentage to 100% placement for the available dogs. You dont just adopt a greyhound. In one state, Boswell said, anyone coming in had to self-quarantine for 14 days. Boswell said the dogs are placed nationally - and locally - with owners and families that will appreciate the special challenges of a greyhound. But at the same time, she has built relationships with what she calls the greyhound nation" - people around the country who love the breed and care for the dogs. Greyhounds are the perfect fit for people living in apartments and condos, Boswell added. Unfortunately, with the virus situation, this is thrown everybody into a total loop, Boswell said. Why do we focus on track dogs? Their sociability generally makes them great with other pets (including cats!). That adoption process contains a vetting of the family and a classification of the dogs. Its hard seeing an end to it, she said. Copyright All rights reserved. Within the next week, she said, they plan to transport 46 to the Pacific Northwest, and 54 to groups along the East Coast. The Caliente greyhounds are great dogs, by the way. They seem grateful for their new homes and regard their new owners with never-ending affection. Consider just one trip to the West Coast had to be coordinated in order to find a stop along the way where dogs could rest. 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Its taken care of. A dog adopted in this way will have to go through a number of adjustments, from learning to walk on tile, to disregarding the noise of the television, to learning to relieve themselves outside. Named Cruiseonbackhome, the AGAC describes this dog as a very affectionate boy that just wants to be with you when he is out of his crate. We have a very good working relationship with the track owner and manager, who will call us when the pet kennel is getting too full to let us know we need to pick up dogs very soon, and somehow we find a way to make it happen. Weve had to make sure that whichever route we go, thats the safest one for us as well, she said. This track is governed by the American racing system. The Jefferson County Racing Association announced on Friday, April 24, 2020, that live greyhound races would end due to declining revenue and lack of interest. I dont want to imagine myself without a greyhound.. Dog racing has been declining in popularity nationally as a sport in recent years. Gets A Lifetime Of Support and Is Welcomed To Come Back To Camp To Visit Anytime Mom And Dad Are On Vacation. All rights reserved (About Us). Greyhounds who come directly from the track, or who go from the track to a kennel, have never experienced life inside a home. Over the past 24 years, she said, she has transported dogs to every state in the lower 48 except North Dakota, as well as locations in Canada. Boswell has estimated that she has rehomed more than 30,000 dogs. Since late April, Jennifer Boswell has been to at least seven states, finding new homes for the more than 800 greyhounds that used to thrill and frustrate tense bettors at the Birmingham Race Course. They are eager to please and respond positively to any attention. Because greyhounds have been raised in kennels, a careful introduction into a suitable home environment is a must for successful placements. As a result of the coronavirus, the AGAC asks that you: There is a non-refundable adoption fee is $400 and is due at the time of adoption. One of the biggest misconceptions is that greyhounds cannot live with cats or other dogs, Boswell said. Cruise would be best placed in a home with an active family, who is loving and does not have any small dogs or cats. He alters to some degree all of the human and animal relationships. After each test, the organization will label each dog as either: cat tolerant, cat trainable or not cat safe. They're retired in most cases because they're a bit slower than the other dogs: maybe they run 44 miles an hour instead of 45. Their temperament makes them wonderful companions. Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement updated 7/1/2022). And the center does its own work to make sure individual dogs will be compatible around families with children or other pets. While our prime directive is to take dogs from the Caliente racetrack in Tijuana, Mexico, we have taken dogs from Kansas, Alabama and Florida, on occasion. He follows our staff around the kennel after they come in from a turn out till you decide to put him away. Despite the common misconception that greyhounds are mistreated, Boswell said that the dogs are taken well care of and make for excellent pets following their racing days. We are one of the few groups nationwide that places its dogs in foster homes. That adoption fee includes: Proudly Managed & Hosted by Adam Black Media Even though she had worked with the dogs, she learned very little about their temperaments, as it turned out. Cruiser is a graduate of our injury program with Central Valley Animal Hospital and has a slight limp still. When you adopt from us, you join a family of greyhound lovers who delight in the joy experienced by new adopters. We have a saying that theyre not rescue dogs, theyre just retired.". While it remains legal in 10 states, it now takes place live in only five. When Mobile Greyhound Park closed in 2017, the center had about 160 dogs to move. Our adoption process, which requires you to fill out an application, meet with a placement representative, and then meet an available dog, may seem like a lot of work. Florida has active tracks but a constitutional amendment is set to phase out commercial greyhound racing by 2021. He doesnt let that slow him down though, and he loves to play. When the race course closed down its track operations, about 150 greyhounds went on to compete at tracks in Florida, West Virginia and elsewhere. A new dog, however wonderful he is, changes the dynamic in the home. Were trying to narrow it down to two dogs per meeting. Boswell and others with the Alabama Greyhound Adoption Center have been hard at work, locating new owners, preparing dogs and transporting them to new lives away from the track. 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