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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


Introduction to Greyhound Pets of America

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.

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GPA Greyhounds

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.

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A Brief History of GPA

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.

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Upcoming Events

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.

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GPA National Officers

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

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GPA Policies and Procedures

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.

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