Disclaimer: This site is not sponsored by the national organization of
Greyhound Pets of America, and GPA does not guarantee the accuracy of
the
information contained herein. This information is true to the best of my
knowledge and is provided as a service to the greyhound rescue
community.
This site is maintained by Jim Jeffers (Send comments to jjeffers@dhvx20.csudh.edu
Greyhound Pets of America (GPA) is a national tax exempt, non- profit
corporation dedicated to finding responsible, loving homes for greyhounds
who no longer qualify to compete at the greyhound racetrack. The GPA
adoption program depends on donations and volunteers to accomplish its
goal.
Greyhounds placed through the GPA program usually are between two and
five years old. These ex-racers are intelligent, quiet, clean,
gentle, good-natured, adaptable dogs who adjust readily to their new home
environment. They are eager to please and respond positively to any
attention. They seem grateful for their new homes and regard their new
owners with never-ending affection. They do not require a great deal of
space to run, as many people think, but they do need exercise. Inside the
house they enjoy curling up in a corner on a soft blanket.
Greyhounds spend most of their lives in the company of other dogs,
their trainers, and handlers. Greyhounds have all the advantages of
breeding
and training when it comes to being a good pet. Their sociability generally
makes them great with other pets (including cats). Their temperament
makes them wonderful around children and friends. Their intelligence and
breed make them perfect house pets, clean, quiet, and a loving companion.
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.
Many adoptive owners find that Greyhounds fit in well with their new
families. "Greyhounds make wonderful pets," says Joan Headland, a founder
and the first president of GPA. "They're fantastic. Their
temperament is wonderful, they get along well with children and the
elderly. They're quiet, very loving, and sweet. When they're inside, they're
couch potatoes. Outside - if they see something move, they chase it." Read more about the greyhound breed.
Founding
Early in 1987, what was then New England REGAP (REtired Greyhounds
As Pets) invited various greyhound adoption groups across the country to
join in the formation of a national greyhound placement organization. One
of
the groups invited to participate was REGAP of California, which Joan
Headland and Carol Osborne helped form in the Los Angeles County area in
1986. Representatives meeting in Oxford, Massachusetts, on April 4, 1987,
formed the Greyhound Pets of America with nine chapters around the
country. At this meeting, officers for the new organization were elected
to
interim terms: John Furbush, President (Massachusetts), Joan Headland,
Vice President (in absentia; California), Ann Tepper, Executive Secretary
(New Hampshire), Lori Graham, Corresponding Secretary (Virginia), Lou
Batdorf, Treasurer (Ohio), and Joan Dillon, Resource Librarian
(Massachusetts).
The nine founding chapters were: California, Connecticut, Midwest,
Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, upper Ohio Valley (now known
as
Wheeling Downs), Texas, and Virginia.
Incorporation
The organization wanted to take a neutral position toward the
greyhound racing industry. As a non-racing state but home to greyhound
rescue groups, they determined that California was the best place to
incorporate. The interim president called Joan Headland, who agreed to
take on this task on behalf of the California chapter. Carol Osborne
volunteered to head up the incorporation work.
Carol did extensive research on the subject of incorporating a
non-profit
organization in California. The written work began in May, 1987. One of
the
requirements for incorporation is a set of by-laws, so Joan worked on the
by-laws while Carol worked on the other requirements. A first version of
by-laws was sent to the original nine chapters asking for editing,
suggestions, and revisions. Three people in particular really became
immersed in those by-laws; Lou Batdorf (Ohio), Samantha Parsons
(California) and Joan Dillon representing GPA/MA. After editing and
mailing
thoughts back and forth, the GPA incorporation process was well on its
way.
By November, 1987, GPA was registered as a California non-profit
corporation.
California does not require officers and board members of its non-
profit
corporations to be residents, but it does require them to have an agent
accountable for the organization residing within the state. Carol Osborne
volunteered for this position and became the first GPA California Agent.
Patricia Bates, Certified Public Accountant, of Encino, California, is the
current GPA California Agent. She is responsible for filing an annual
application to renew our status as a California non-profit organization
and
receives and distributes official GPA mail and documents.
Once the formal documentation for the State of California was in
order,
work began on GPA's federal tax exemption. On July 18, 1988, all
paperwork was submitted to the Internal Revenue Service. Many hours
went into preparing and submitting the required paperwork, including the
application, by-laws from each chapter, and formal requests by individual
chapters. In the meantime, three more chapters had joined GPA. By
July of 1989, nine of the 12 GPA chapters had received federal tax-exempt
status: 501(c)(3). This means that all donations to the chapters under the
national umbrella are tax deductible for the individual contributor. Three
of
the chapters chose to file separately for tax exemption.
First National Meeting
On October 18, 1987, in Abilene, Kansas, GPA had its first official
national meeting. In preparation for the meeting, interim President John
Furbush had submitted a list of issues to the member chapters. Four
chapters sent representatives: Midwest, Northwest, Massachusetts and
California. Most of the other chapters identified proxies. At the meeting,
Northwest, Alabama, and Arizona were admitted as the tenth, eleventh,
and
twelfth chapters. Pat Lewallen's group (Kansas) was welcomed into GPA
as a
Midwest sub-chapter. Those assembled agreed not to use "INC" as part of
the corporation name, formally adopted the by-laws, and endorsed "voting
by
mail".
Officers were elected: President, Joan Headland, CA Vice President,
Gloria Sanders, Midwest Executive Secretary, Cynde Green, AZ
Corresponding Secretary, Lori Graham, VA Treasurer, Mike Herrera, CA
Resource Librarian, Joan Dillon, MA
Continued Growth
In the first year of existence, GPA grew from nine chapters to 12, from
resident reps in 18 states to 27 states, from 42 placement reps to
approximately 75. Its members wrote and instituted by-laws,
incorporated,
set up accounting procedures, acquired federal tax exempt status,
developed
a placement network across the United States, gained recognition on a
national level, set goals for continued growth and development, and
attained
a professional business attitude.
Our most important accomplishments were greyhound placements
and continuous public education regarding greyhounds as pets. We had
become a progressive, up-beat organization making a difference for the
greyhounds.
GPA's growth has been dramatic. By 1995, over 300 placement
representatives from 27 GPA chapters and 13 sub-chapters in 31 states
and
two Canadian provinces were at work. GPA placed about 100 dogs in 1987,
its first year. In 1993, GPA assisted in the adoption of 3,188 greyhounds.
In
1994, it helped adopt out 3,802. In 1995, it placed the most dogs of any
single organization, about 4,000. The rest of the greyhound adoption
organizations combined placed another 11,000.
GPA's philosophy has been to build a relationship with the racing
industry that would encourage it to get involved with adoption efforts.
The
American Greyhound Council, a racing industry-sponsored organization
established for the welfare of the greyhounds, began funding the GPA 800
number in June, 1990.
GPA National Conference
The 1996 national conference of the Greyhound Pets of America will
be
held October 18-20 in Birmingham, Alabama. Contact your local chapter
for
more information on hotel and travel arrangements.
President
Jon Underwood
1505 Villanova Drive
Austin, TX 78757-7837
512-454-0062
Vice President
Lou Batdorf
PO Box 391
Martins Ferry, OH 43935-0391
614-633-0128
Executive Secretary
Sandi Babcock
11122 E. 18th
Spokane, WA 99206
Corresponding Secretary
Robin McKee
4910 N. Karen Road
Oria Orchards, WA 99027
509-927-8002
Treasurer
Bob Trapp
PO Box 2342
Cedar Park, TX 78630
512-267-7608
Resource Librarian
Pat Benson
1812 216th Ave. Ct. E.
Sumner, WA 98390
206-862-4401
Greyhound Pets of America seeks qualified adoptive homes that are committed to responsible pet ownership. We have established formal procedures to ensure that retired racers are placed in loving homes with people who will take good care of them.
Prospective owners must understand that greyhounds need to be house pets, since they have little natural protection from the elements. Due to their breeding and training, they must be leashed when not in an enclosed area.
1. It is vital to keep your greyhound on leash whenever it is outdoors, unless it is in a fenced-in areas. NEVER "trust" it not to run away.
2. You must keep a collar bearing identification on your greyhound at all times.
3. If your greyhound should become lost, you are required to notify the local GPA chapter from which you adopted your dog.
4. If you should ever decide you cannot keep or do not want your greyhound, you must notify your local GPA chapter before taking any action. You may not give your greyhound to anyone else without GPA's consent and you must agree never to take it to a "pound" or other humane shelter.
5. You must agree to keep your greyhound as a pet and never attempt to use it for breeding, pari-mutuel racing or laboratory research.
6. Your local GPA chapter will have had performed the following medical procedures for your greyhound: DHLPP, Rabies, Bordatella and Corona vaccinations; spay or neuter; Heart Worm test; teeth cleaning, polishing and any needed extractions; and worming. Your responsibilities will include maintaining regular vaccinations and veterinary care whenever they are required and a fecal exam within thirty days of adoption.
7. Your greyhound's racing career is over and can never be reactivated.
8. GPA and its local chapters is a nonprofit, entirely volunteer-run organization funded primarily by donations. There are many expenses associated with the rescue and placement of each greyhound. Contact the GPA chapter in your area for information on fees to help cover the costs of preparing your greyhound for adoption.
9. GPA chapters adopt out greyhounds with the understanding that the dogs will be house pets.