How to Adopt a Racing Greyhound After the Florida Ban
Florida overwhelming majority of votes, voted for a ban on horse racing greyhounds , and this means that by the end of 2020 thousands of dogs may be left without work. The good news is that you can take greyhounds into your home anytime you want. They are very good dogs.
What’s going on in Florida?
Florida has 11 of the country’s 17 racetracks, but all of them will be closed in the next two years. Florida Greyhound Adoptions told us that:
According to our latest data, there are about 4,000 greyhounds on the tracks in Florida now, and we can assume that their owners may decide to move some of them to 5 states where dog races are still taking place.
Dog races are also held in Mexico. Faster dogs can continue their careers by competing on a different track, but the Greyhound Adoption Action Alliance notes that slower dogs on less paid tracks often have nowhere to go.
So what happens to these 4,000 dogs? “We’re not sure at this point , ” Greyhound Pet Adoption, Florida, Southeast , told us. The Greyhound Adoptions of Florida states: “Please tell all potential followers to SIT CONSTANTLY and wait a few weeks … [until] it becomes clearer which tracks may be closed sooner and which later.”
By mid-2019, there should be more information on which tracks close and when, and what dog owners can do with them. Each dog has its own owners, so it’s up to them, not the trail, to decide whether and how they will be adopted.
Rescue groups in the few remaining states where horse racing is legal are now asking owners to donate their dogs and then teaming up with other groups so greyhounds can be adopted across the country. I adopted mine when I was living in New York, but one came from Kansas and the other from Massachusetts. Florida groups do not have information yet on how to adopt Florida dogs, but I bet they will travel through local groups this way. Contacting a local rescue team is probably the best way to find out when the Florida dogs are arriving.
Greyhounds are very good pets, yes they are
Have you ever met a greyhound? You should meet a greyhound. (I adopted two and they were great.) Google “save the greyhounds [your area],” and you’ll probably find several local groups that can arrange for adoption.
Greyhounds are strange dogs. They curled up on the sofa like cats. They are usually very calm, often drowsy. They like to run, but only as a hobby. Most of the time, just like you and me, they prefer to sit back and watch Netflix. I adopted my first greyhound when I lived in a 500-square-foot apartment and the adoptive group didn’t blink an eye. They just hooked me up with a soft dog and I took it for a long walk every day.
Greyhounds can run unpredictably (they love you, but sometimes they just need this squirrel), so it’s best to keep them on a leash or in a yard with a fence. They have thin skin, so they love to wear blankets and pajamas in cold weather. They tend to get along well with other dogs, but some of them have such a strong prey instinct that they try to eat cats. If you have cats (or small dogs), let the greyhound rescuers know that you need to pick up a gray that won’t chase them. Some greyhounds just don’t give a damn.
Since greyhounds spend their careers in kennels, they tend to get very used to people and other dogs and go straight into the cage. But they’ve probably never seen stairs or shiny kitchen floors, and might get a little scared before they learn how to get their cane feet to walk on these extraneous surfaces.
If you could use a friendly, clumsy dog in your life, look for local rescuers and ask if they have meetings and greetings where you can meet a few hounds. (Many rescue services operate outside people’s homes, so there is not always a shelter to visit.) You may be able to give one of these unemployed dogs a permanent home.