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Introduction to Greyhound Pets of America/California--Orange County/Greater Los Angeles
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. GPA/California--Orange County & Greater Los Angeles (GPA/CA--OC&GLA) covers the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura. Its also provides services for the eastern Sierra areas of California.
GPA/CA--OC&GLA greyhounds spend at least two weeks in foster care prior to adoption. We have a network of placement representatives who, along with these "foster parents" and prospective adopters, help match a dog's temperament to the new owner's lifestyle and home situation. In addition, in most foster homes the greyhound becomes acquainted with the strange new surroundings in the company of an experienced pet greyhound. Our experience indicates that this partnership makes for the smoothest transition from track to couch. We also provide continuing support and help for both owners and greyhounds after the transition.
All our greyhounds are altered, have full dental work completed, all recommended shots given and any obvious medical problems treated prior to placement in a permanent home.
Please contact us at one of the contact numbers below if you would like to join us or if you just have questions. We welcome the participation of all those with the desire to help, whether they own greyhounds or not. We do prefer that non-greyhound owners seek a character reference from a responsible greyhound.
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.
Since greyhound racing is illegal in California, most of our dogs come from out of state. The majority come from the Caliente racetrack in Tijuana, Mexico, but we have taken dogs from Arizona, Colorado, and Idaho as well. We also from time to time rescue greyhounds left at local animal shelters. Nearly all of the dogs we help are former racers, but we will try to help any greyhound in need.
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." Adds Sally Allen of USA DOGS, "Greyhounds do better than other breeds who are dropped as adults into a family setting." Because greyhounds have been raised in kennels, a careful introduction into a suitable home environment is a must for successful placements. Read more about the greyhound breed.
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.
If, after reviewing the information on this web site, you are interested in adopting a greyhound, complete an adoption application. Call GPA for an application or print out, complete and send in the application posted on this site. When your completed application is received, a placement representative will arrange a convenient time to visit with you in your home. During the visit, you and the placement representative will put together a profile of the greyhound best suited to your lifestyle and needs. While there, the placement representative will answer your questions. Should you decide to adopt and should your application be approved, your placement representative will suggest ways to make the addition of your greyhound a safe and happy experience for all concerned.
All of the greyhounds in foster placement have on file a profile completed by the foster family. We compare these profiles with the profile you and your placement representative prepared. You will then be put in touch with the foster families of those dogs which seem best suited to your situation. You are welcome to visit these dogs. When you have found the greyhound of your dreams, we will help you complete the adoption arrangements.
We request a $60 tax-deductible adoption donation to help us cover our costs and continue adoptions. We also request a $120 fee toward the dog's neutering or spaying, teeth care (cleaning, polishing, and any extractions that may have been necessary), worming, Heart Worm test, and shots (DHLPP,Rabies, Bordatella and Corona vaccinations), all done before the greyhound goes home with you. Each dog is supplied a GPA identification tag, and a greyhound safety collar and matching leash.
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 GPA/CA--OC&GLA.
4. If you should ever decide you cannot keep or do not want your greyhound, you must notify GPA/CA--OC&GLA before taking any action. You may not give your greyhound to anyone else without GPA/CA--OC&GLA'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. GPA/CA--OC&GLA will have 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/CA--OC&GLA is a nonprofit, entirely volunteer-run organization funded primarily by donations. There are many expenses associated with the rescue and placement of each greyhound. A minimum donation of $60.00 is requested at the time of adoption, as well as an additional fee of $120.00 which helps to cover the costs of the medical procedures described in #6. Your greyhound will be provided with a greyhound safety collar and matching leash at no charge. The adoption donation and additional fee for medical procedures are non-refundable.
9. GPA/CA--OC&GLA adopt out greyhounds with the understanding that the dogs will be house pets.
History of GPA California: Orange County & Greater Los Angeles
The California chapter of GPA was led by Joan Headland and Carol Osborne for several years, until they moved to Arizona and became members of GPA/Arizona. Darren Rigg took over the leadership of GPA/CA. In 1991, Joyce and Tom McRorie began working as volunteers with GPA/CA. They had adopted their first greyhound, Robber, in 1990 and a second, Max, in 1991. Rigg asked them to do a home visit to prospective adopters in Fullerton (Orange County), and they suddenly found themselves the greater Los Angeles area Placement Representatives.
The McRories began organizing GPA events in the Los Angeles area, gradually collecting a merry band of volunteers. Joyce was named to the GPA/CA board of directors in 1993, and became President of GPA/CA in 1995. She resigned her position in August.
In September Joyce shared the idea of starting a new sub-chapter
of
GPA/CA with the LA volunteers and explained how she believed it could
succeed. The volunteers unanimously supported the idea and went on to
elect an interim board for the new group
(Right: Interim board members: (l-r) Dan Sullivan, Karen Charpie-Elton,
Joyce McRorie, Ron Stolte, Paula Otteson, Carol Simpson, Kathy Mooney,
Pat
Lynch, and Joanne Kally). The interim board served until February, 1996.
Greyhound owners living in the Los Angeles area were enthusiastic about
the new organization. They formed the Orange County & Greater Los
Angeles
sub-chapter of GPA/CA on October 1, 1995.
The new group's first official action was to pick up four greyhounds from a racetrack. It successfully placed about 100 dogs in its first eight months of existence. On June 17, 1996, GPA/CA--Orange County & Greater Los Angeles was granted full chapter status by a vote of all GPA chapters.
The response of area residents and the track kennel operators has been overwhelming. Organizations and individuals interested in the welfare of the greyhound have been very supportive of the group's efforts. Kennel operators are happy for the dogs to go to a home rather than be destroyed. In fact, they have coined a phrase for it at the track. When the dog's racing career is finished, they now "pet them out". The day a greyhound leaves the track to become someone's pet is a very happy occasion for kennel operator and GPA volunteer alike. The greyhounds' happy excitement suggests that they know something very good is happening. Read about a recent trip to Caliente Racetrack.
Joyce McRorie, President
9642 Bay Meadow Drive
Huntington Beach, CA 92646
Voice: (714)962-0789
FAX: (714)556-7326
Send email: gpa@pacbell.net
Some of our Placement Representatives:
Lynda Adame (310-548-7145). Send email: adame@venice.dh.trw.com
Carol and Bob Vinnacombe. Send email: vinn@pacbell.net
Phil Faust (310-496-1873)
Other Volunteers
Barbara & Carl Boyack. Send email: DVJX38B@prodigy.com
Jim & Bonnie Jeffers (909-591-4570). Send email: jjeffers@dhvx20.csudh.edu
Board of Directors for 1997:
Officers:
Joyce McRorie, President
Karen Charpie-Elton, Vice-President
Bob Vinnacombe, Treasurer
Carol Vinnacombe, Executive Secretary
Directors:
Joanne Kalley
Sharon Cummings
Pat Guiver
Nancy Madigan
Jim Jeffers