The last 6 hounds we received have already made their way into their new homes and we have 3 arriving tomorrow morning, plus 5 more on Weds morning. Of the 8 hounds, 5 have homes and the others will soon have a home of their own..
The GPA Board met this past month to elect officers and to also fill some additional vacant seats on the board. We are excited to have a board that is dedicated to finding homes for these hounds while working together to make a stronger organization.
Our Board is as follows:
Gil Caldwell, President
Mark Lane, Vice President
Beth Nilles, Treasurer
Bobbie Moore, Corresponding Secretary
Amy Rizzo, Recording Secretary
Tim Gray, Board Member
Tom McDonald, Board Member
Brian Shaunassey, Board Member
We recently established a message group for GPA Members. This will allow our members the opportunity to discuss their hounds with other Greyhound owners. It can be a very informative way to communicate with each other, share ideas, organize playgroups etc.
To Join, please send an email to the following email address:
GPARichmond-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
I process emails mainly in the evening so it will take a few hours to get a response but I will respond. I hope that this board will allow our members to communicate with each other to form a stronger Greyhound community.
In Closing, I am happy to include the following message from GPA National President, Rory Goree.
To: Greyhound Pets of America - Volunteers, Members, Adopters, Friends and Supporters.
As we approach this season, I want to express my gratitude for your efforts in finding homes for greyhounds and for your support. Every one of you has performed an outstanding job.
The adoption of each greyhound speaks volumes. This past year has been tremendous, even with the difficult times of track closures, and natural disasters, you managed to continue on with the mission of GPA in finding forever homes for greyhounds.
During the Christmas season many of us are running around wrapping up gifts and putting the finishing touches to our holiday decorations. In GPA, every day we are wrapping up adoptions and putting the finishing touch onto another successful adoption. I can't begin to express my heartfelt appreciation for each and every one of you.
Enjoy every minute with your family, friends and pets. I wish you a wonderful holiday season.
Rory
President - Greyhound Pets of America - National
Friday, December 02, 2005
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Who Let the Dogs Out??
Today was a very unusual day for us to receive dogs but since the haulers were heading north and we had our orders in, they arrived on a weekday. Arriving this morning about 9:30 were 6 beautiful hounds. They were ready to get off of the hauler right away. After walking them, we loaded them in the van and headed home to bathe & feed them and then get them settled in for the day. Two went home to their new adoptive homes to meet an existing greyhound waiting for them there. Another will go home tonight and two will go on Friday... As always it was wonderful working together with volunteers and members of our organization to find these dogs great homes.. And to our new adoptive families, welcome!!!
Monday, November 07, 2005
Negativity..
Recently we keep hearing more and more negative press on all sorts of things and Greyhounds as well as GPA has had their share. I recently received the following email from National President Rory Goree and he had asked us to post on our websites which I am doing through here. Lets all try hard to keep things positive and look for good in the placement of the hounds that our group places. I don't want our chapter to be involved in this type of continuous bashing.
On a Positive note, this week, we are receiving 6 hounds that will be going into new homes and we are working on applications for a haul that takes place the first weekend in December.
And now a word from our National President.
IT'S TIME TO SPEAK OUT FOR GREYHOUND WELFARE, NOT WARFARE!
I have received dozens of e-mails over the past few weeks from many of the 10,000 dedicated GPA volunteers all over the country who are upset and angry over recent statements made by Ms. Paulsen of Greyhound Companions of New Mexico. Instead of working constructively alongside GPA to ensure that the greyhounds sent to Juarez are placed in loving U.S. homes when they retire, Ms. Paulsen has chosen to attack the GPA effort and personally vilify me and other GPA volunteers. This has outraged and offended not only our members, but also many other moderate adoption advocates.
Why has Ms. Paulsen decided to turn her back on the Juarez greyhounds? Apparently she and her organization no longer share the goals of GPA and the mainstream adoption community. Unbelievably, it appears that their new mission is to STOP GPA from working cooperatively with the Juarez track for the benefit of the greyhounds there. Greyhound Companions of New Mexico has now officially joined the handful of extreme organizations whose primary focus is not the welfare of greyhounds, but full-scale war with the greyhound racing and moderate adoption community. And Ms. Paulsen has resorted to deliberate lies and distortions as her weapons of choice in this pointless war. A case in point, Ms. Paulsen has used a person who was disciplined by GPA for alleged animal abuse as her character witness against GPA.
Recently Ms. Paulsen has changed her tune. She was stating we (GPA) would be sending dogs to Juarez. Now she is saying that by finding homes for the Juarez greyhounds we are endorsing greyhound racing. Ms. Paulsen - you have been adopting greyhounds for years so I guess you endorse greyhound racing.
We've set the record straight on many occasions, both on our website and in personal communications with many of you. For a full statement of the GPA position on Juarez, please feel free to visit our website, www.greyhoundpets.org. But our position isn't even the issue.
The real issue is that reasonable people ought to be able to disagree without engaging in vicious and malicious campaigns of "personal destruction." My friends and I believe it's time to speak out for greyhound welfare, not warfare. Let's set political issues and personal grudges aside, and get back to putting the greyhounds first.
We urge you to contact Judy Paulsen at info@gcnm.org, and ask her to stop her terrible attacks against GPA and the adoption volunteers trying to do the right thing for the Juarez dogs. When you send your message, please forward a copy to us at pres@greyhoundpets.org.
And remember-when we abuse the people who love greyhounds, speak honestly, will not put greyhounds at risk to further their own cause and work tirelessly on their behalf, it does as much harm as if we were abusing the dogs themselves.
Rory S. Goree'President - Greyhound Pets of America – The Greyhound Retirement Specialists
On a Positive note, this week, we are receiving 6 hounds that will be going into new homes and we are working on applications for a haul that takes place the first weekend in December.
And now a word from our National President.
IT'S TIME TO SPEAK OUT FOR GREYHOUND WELFARE, NOT WARFARE!
I have received dozens of e-mails over the past few weeks from many of the 10,000 dedicated GPA volunteers all over the country who are upset and angry over recent statements made by Ms. Paulsen of Greyhound Companions of New Mexico. Instead of working constructively alongside GPA to ensure that the greyhounds sent to Juarez are placed in loving U.S. homes when they retire, Ms. Paulsen has chosen to attack the GPA effort and personally vilify me and other GPA volunteers. This has outraged and offended not only our members, but also many other moderate adoption advocates.
Why has Ms. Paulsen decided to turn her back on the Juarez greyhounds? Apparently she and her organization no longer share the goals of GPA and the mainstream adoption community. Unbelievably, it appears that their new mission is to STOP GPA from working cooperatively with the Juarez track for the benefit of the greyhounds there. Greyhound Companions of New Mexico has now officially joined the handful of extreme organizations whose primary focus is not the welfare of greyhounds, but full-scale war with the greyhound racing and moderate adoption community. And Ms. Paulsen has resorted to deliberate lies and distortions as her weapons of choice in this pointless war. A case in point, Ms. Paulsen has used a person who was disciplined by GPA for alleged animal abuse as her character witness against GPA.
Recently Ms. Paulsen has changed her tune. She was stating we (GPA) would be sending dogs to Juarez. Now she is saying that by finding homes for the Juarez greyhounds we are endorsing greyhound racing. Ms. Paulsen - you have been adopting greyhounds for years so I guess you endorse greyhound racing.
We've set the record straight on many occasions, both on our website and in personal communications with many of you. For a full statement of the GPA position on Juarez, please feel free to visit our website, www.greyhoundpets.org. But our position isn't even the issue.
The real issue is that reasonable people ought to be able to disagree without engaging in vicious and malicious campaigns of "personal destruction." My friends and I believe it's time to speak out for greyhound welfare, not warfare. Let's set political issues and personal grudges aside, and get back to putting the greyhounds first.
We urge you to contact Judy Paulsen at info@gcnm.org, and ask her to stop her terrible attacks against GPA and the adoption volunteers trying to do the right thing for the Juarez dogs. When you send your message, please forward a copy to us at pres@greyhoundpets.org.
And remember-when we abuse the people who love greyhounds, speak honestly, will not put greyhounds at risk to further their own cause and work tirelessly on their behalf, it does as much harm as if we were abusing the dogs themselves.
Rory S. Goree'President - Greyhound Pets of America – The Greyhound Retirement Specialists
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Another successful Picnic
Our fall picnic went off without a hitch. What a beautiful day to spend at the park with all of our friends and hounds. We had wonderful food and entertainment as well as vendors and our Raffle. There were so many things donated this year. We had gift certificates from Broughton Kennels, Dog Services, items from Premier Pet Products, Southern States, FastJack Sportswear, Dog Walk Designs and others. We even had a DJ from "Tune in a Bucket" that kept festive music playing all afternoon. A Canine Freestyle demo was put on by Joyce Miller and friends from Merrimac Kennel Club in Hampton as well as fun games and contests... Thanks to everyone for making our picnic a success.
As a reminder, GPA Richmond has t-shirts as well as other merchandise for sale. We just received a new shipment of both short and long sleeve T-shirts in beautiful color and various sizes. Please email us if you are interested in purchasing one. Short Sleeve shirts are 15.00 and long sleeve are 20.00.
Please remember to listen to Voice America each Friday for "Greyhounds Make Great Pets". Your hosts are GPA National President Rory Goree, Kari Morrison Young, Kathy Hoynes and myself, Gil Caldwell. You can log onto the show at 2pm eastern time at www.voice.voiceamerica.com
Take care until next time...
Gil
As a reminder, GPA Richmond has t-shirts as well as other merchandise for sale. We just received a new shipment of both short and long sleeve T-shirts in beautiful color and various sizes. Please email us if you are interested in purchasing one. Short Sleeve shirts are 15.00 and long sleeve are 20.00.
Please remember to listen to Voice America each Friday for "Greyhounds Make Great Pets". Your hosts are GPA National President Rory Goree, Kari Morrison Young, Kathy Hoynes and myself, Gil Caldwell. You can log onto the show at 2pm eastern time at www.voice.voiceamerica.com
Take care until next time...
Gil
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
It's Picnic Time!!
Wow... We just got back in from Greyhounds Reach the Beach at Dewey Beach, DE and what a wonderful time everyone had. Of course it rained a good bit of the time, however it was still nice to see the hounds and friends from all over the world.
October 16th is our fall picnic. We are very excited about this event. We have several vendors lined up to attend and sell their Greyhound Merchandise(bring money), there will be a Canine Freestyle demonstration and of course fun and games. We also have a DJ attending to play the hits and even offer some Karaoke during the day. Hamburgers and Hot Dogs will be supplied by GPA/Richmond and all we ask is that you bring a side dish or dessert to share.
We received three beautiful hounds on October 1st from Melbourne and working on applications for another run towards the end of the month. With all of the tracks closing for the winter months, there are so many hounds waiting for new homes. This month, three large tracks up north will be closing for the season, pouring 600-800 dogs into the adoption system and then we have the southern tracks doing the same thing.
Would you like to help out?? GPA Richmond has many volunteer opportunities available. We need foster homes, volunteers to help with merchandising, helping to schedule events etc. Please email us if you can help out.
We recently established a message group for GPA Members. This will allow our members the opportunity to discuss their hounds with other Greyhound owners. It can be a very informative way to communicate with each other.
To Join, please send an email to the following email address:
GPARichmond-subscribe@yahoogroups.com I process emails mainly in the evening so it will take a few hours to get a response but I will respond. I hope that this board will allow our members to communicate with each other to form a stronger Greyhound community.
Once again, please remember the picnic set for October 16th from 11-3:30pm. Directions are located on our events calendar..
Take care and we will see you on Saturday..
Gil
October 16th is our fall picnic. We are very excited about this event. We have several vendors lined up to attend and sell their Greyhound Merchandise(bring money), there will be a Canine Freestyle demonstration and of course fun and games. We also have a DJ attending to play the hits and even offer some Karaoke during the day. Hamburgers and Hot Dogs will be supplied by GPA/Richmond and all we ask is that you bring a side dish or dessert to share.
We received three beautiful hounds on October 1st from Melbourne and working on applications for another run towards the end of the month. With all of the tracks closing for the winter months, there are so many hounds waiting for new homes. This month, three large tracks up north will be closing for the season, pouring 600-800 dogs into the adoption system and then we have the southern tracks doing the same thing.
Would you like to help out?? GPA Richmond has many volunteer opportunities available. We need foster homes, volunteers to help with merchandising, helping to schedule events etc. Please email us if you can help out.
We recently established a message group for GPA Members. This will allow our members the opportunity to discuss their hounds with other Greyhound owners. It can be a very informative way to communicate with each other.
To Join, please send an email to the following email address:
GPARichmond-subscribe@yahoogroups.com I process emails mainly in the evening so it will take a few hours to get a response but I will respond. I hope that this board will allow our members to communicate with each other to form a stronger Greyhound community.
Once again, please remember the picnic set for October 16th from 11-3:30pm. Directions are located on our events calendar..
Take care and we will see you on Saturday..
Gil
Thursday, September 29, 2005
More Dogs and the" Dog Flu"....
First, we are excited that we have three hounds arriving Saturday Morning from Melbourne Florida. They will arrive between 2 and 4am. Two of the three have new homes already. Currently we have 2 females in foster and with the male on Saturday, that will make three foster hounds.
Many people have been sending me news articles, emails etc on the "Canine Flu". Friday September 30th on "Greyhounds Make Great Pets", we will have as our guest Dr Brad Fenwick to discuss this important matter. So please tune in to www.voice.voiceamerica.com at 2:00 Eastern time to hear it live. Also, I am posting the release that we have received regarding the Canine Flu.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Dr. Brad Fenwick, 540-231-6077; fenwick@vt.edu
CANINE FLU STORY OVERHYPED BY MEDIA, EXPERT SAYS
Blacksburg, VA (September 29, 2005)—An internationally recognized expert on infectious diseases in greyhounds says recent media reports of a canine flu epidemic have “greatly inflated the significance” of the scientific paper on which the reports were based.
Dr. Brad Fenwick, Vice President for Research and Professor of Infectious Disease Pathobiology at Virginia Tech, has specialized in the study of disease in racing greyhounds. In a letter to greyhound tracks and kennel operators, Fenwick said there is no scientific basis for the “hysterical tone” of recent media reports. Fenwick wrote the letter at the request of the American Greyhound Council (AGC), an organization formed by track and kennel operators to promote greyhound health and welfare.
“There is no killer dog flu crisis in greyhound racing,” Fenwick wrote, “or outside it, for that matter.”
The media reports were triggered by a research paper published in the current issue of Science Magazine suggesting that a respiratory disease observed in greyhounds at several tracks since 2004 is closely related to the equine flu virus. The paper also raised the possibility that the canine flu could be transmitted to humans because it had crossed species from horses to dogs.
Contagious respiratory diseases among dogs are nothing new, and Fenwick said this one appears no more serious than common kennel cough. The vast majority of greyhounds exposed to the canine flu recover completely, with many not even requiring treatment, he said. Evidence shows that most of the dogs that become infected with influenza do not show any symptoms. Where rare fatalities have occurred, they have been due to bacterial complications arising from failure to treat soon enough or with the correct antibiotics.
What disturbed him most about the media reports, Fenwick said, was the suggestion that this canine flu could be transmitted from dogs to humans and that greyhounds or the industry are somehow responsible for the outbreak. It is possible, he said, that this virus was circulating undetected in the pet dog population for some time and only became recognized when it caused problems in the greyhounds, since even a mild respiratory disease is of special concern in a canine athlete.
“There has never been a single recorded instance where the disease was transmitted from a horse to a human,” he noted, “so it is irresponsible in the extreme to suggest that this should be a cause for concern among the general public or pet dog owners.”
Fenwick advised industry members to take several steps to prevent the spread of any contagious diseases among greyhounds, including prompt consultation with qualified veterinarians, the use of appropriate antibiotics, more frequent checking and observation of dogs, extra cleaning and sanitation measures, and isolation of ill dogs away from healthy animals.
##############################################
I do hope this helps answer some questions and if you have any others please call into the show on Friday to discuss them with Dr Fenwick..
Until next time, Hug Those Hounds!!!
Gil
Many people have been sending me news articles, emails etc on the "Canine Flu". Friday September 30th on "Greyhounds Make Great Pets", we will have as our guest Dr Brad Fenwick to discuss this important matter. So please tune in to www.voice.voiceamerica.com at 2:00 Eastern time to hear it live. Also, I am posting the release that we have received regarding the Canine Flu.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Dr. Brad Fenwick, 540-231-6077; fenwick@vt.edu
CANINE FLU STORY OVERHYPED BY MEDIA, EXPERT SAYS
Blacksburg, VA (September 29, 2005)—An internationally recognized expert on infectious diseases in greyhounds says recent media reports of a canine flu epidemic have “greatly inflated the significance” of the scientific paper on which the reports were based.
Dr. Brad Fenwick, Vice President for Research and Professor of Infectious Disease Pathobiology at Virginia Tech, has specialized in the study of disease in racing greyhounds. In a letter to greyhound tracks and kennel operators, Fenwick said there is no scientific basis for the “hysterical tone” of recent media reports. Fenwick wrote the letter at the request of the American Greyhound Council (AGC), an organization formed by track and kennel operators to promote greyhound health and welfare.
“There is no killer dog flu crisis in greyhound racing,” Fenwick wrote, “or outside it, for that matter.”
The media reports were triggered by a research paper published in the current issue of Science Magazine suggesting that a respiratory disease observed in greyhounds at several tracks since 2004 is closely related to the equine flu virus. The paper also raised the possibility that the canine flu could be transmitted to humans because it had crossed species from horses to dogs.
Contagious respiratory diseases among dogs are nothing new, and Fenwick said this one appears no more serious than common kennel cough. The vast majority of greyhounds exposed to the canine flu recover completely, with many not even requiring treatment, he said. Evidence shows that most of the dogs that become infected with influenza do not show any symptoms. Where rare fatalities have occurred, they have been due to bacterial complications arising from failure to treat soon enough or with the correct antibiotics.
What disturbed him most about the media reports, Fenwick said, was the suggestion that this canine flu could be transmitted from dogs to humans and that greyhounds or the industry are somehow responsible for the outbreak. It is possible, he said, that this virus was circulating undetected in the pet dog population for some time and only became recognized when it caused problems in the greyhounds, since even a mild respiratory disease is of special concern in a canine athlete.
“There has never been a single recorded instance where the disease was transmitted from a horse to a human,” he noted, “so it is irresponsible in the extreme to suggest that this should be a cause for concern among the general public or pet dog owners.”
Fenwick advised industry members to take several steps to prevent the spread of any contagious diseases among greyhounds, including prompt consultation with qualified veterinarians, the use of appropriate antibiotics, more frequent checking and observation of dogs, extra cleaning and sanitation measures, and isolation of ill dogs away from healthy animals.
##############################################
I do hope this helps answer some questions and if you have any others please call into the show on Friday to discuss them with Dr Fenwick..
Until next time, Hug Those Hounds!!!
Gil
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Dogs Everywhere!!!
Things have continued to be quite busy lately. We recently received 6 hounds from Tallahassee and there are only two left to place in their homes. And we have 3 coming in from Melbourne on October 1st as well. Sometimes I think I am seeing double with all these dogs running around... But its so wonderful to see them in their new homes. All of the tracks are reporting heavy numbers of available hounds and of course we need more homes that can provide a home for a hound that is not cat safe. If you can provide one, please let us know because these hounds are often overlooked at the track.
I have also been participating weekly as a host on the Internet Radio Show, "Greyhounds Make Great Pets". You can log in Friday's at 2 pm to listen at www.voice.voiceamerica.com Or visit the Greyhounds Make Great Pets website for the archives of past shows. If there is a topic that you would love to have us discuss, email me and let me know as we are always looking for new ideas.
October 16th is our Fall Picnic. We are looking forward to seeing our friends and hounds as always. GPA Richmond will be providing Hamburgers and Hot Dogs with members providing dessert and side dishes. We also have various activities planned and even Vendors with lots of Greyhound Merchandise. I will explain more about the events as the date gets nearer.. Please consider joining us and be sure to email us if you are attending so we will have enough food.
Now is a great time to let a Greyhound Race into your heart and home. All you have to do is call!!
Until next time, please hug those hounds!!!!
I have also been participating weekly as a host on the Internet Radio Show, "Greyhounds Make Great Pets". You can log in Friday's at 2 pm to listen at www.voice.voiceamerica.com Or visit the Greyhounds Make Great Pets website for the archives of past shows. If there is a topic that you would love to have us discuss, email me and let me know as we are always looking for new ideas.
October 16th is our Fall Picnic. We are looking forward to seeing our friends and hounds as always. GPA Richmond will be providing Hamburgers and Hot Dogs with members providing dessert and side dishes. We also have various activities planned and even Vendors with lots of Greyhound Merchandise. I will explain more about the events as the date gets nearer.. Please consider joining us and be sure to email us if you are attending so we will have enough food.
Now is a great time to let a Greyhound Race into your heart and home. All you have to do is call!!
Until next time, please hug those hounds!!!!
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
September 6 2005
Its been one month since my first blog and I apologize for not adding to this more often. This past weekend, we attended the National Greyhound Adoption Conference in Tampa Florida. What an informative and fun weekend. We were able to listen to some very infomative speakers, visit the tracks and watch a few races and even bring home an award.. Yes.. Thats right... GPA National had asked their chapters to update their websites and submit the new sites for a contest and our site won!!!! I have to congratulate Caroline who is our webdesigner for her hard work in getting the site up and running in time for us to enter the contest as well as putting together a fantastic site. Our Prize is a round trip airfare to our next conference.Our Senior Brood Mom Rosie has been adopted and is enjoying her new life in her forever home. We have also placed several new hounds and have a couple in foster care. Right now we have Flying Artist as well as Argus. We also have hounds coming in hopefully this coming weekend as well as at the end of the month. With the fuel costs as they are, haulers are being more cautious about making partial runs and need to have full carriers when they make a trip.We have also received word of three tracks closing for the season this fall. That will mean an additional 1000 dogs that will need to be placed. Right now every facility is flooded with hounds and of course we will need to help even more.During our Conference this past weekend, we held a special auction and took up a collection to help the hounds and adopters who have been devistated by this most recent storm. Through the generosity of so many, this fund grew quickly to around 4000 bucks to help out those in need.. There will be directions on GPA Nationals website where you can give towards this fund..Until next time, be sure to hug your hounds..Gil
Monday, August 08, 2005
GPA - Richmond
GPA - Richmond
I am so happy to share the news of our New Website.. Thanks to our friend Caroline who did all of the design work!!!
This Blog feature will allow us to keep the site up to date and announce special things that are happening to our group and in the Greyhound world.. Please check here often for the latest and greatest news.
This coming weekend we will receive two special hounds from Melbourne Florida who will be going into a home together. One of these sisters, is blind in one eye but still gets around as if nothing was wrong. Their adoptive family is very excited to get them home.
We are trying to have shipments coming in on a two week basis and have several hounds in our foster homes at this time.. Please take a moment and consider providing a forever home for Rosie. Our senior Brood mom that we brought in last week.. She is 11.5yrs old but very spry and adjusting to home life very well. She takes short walks daily with her foster mom and has been picking up the habits of her foster sister. Providing a forever home for a senior like this, is an experience you will never forget.. Even at that age, they will race right into your heart..
Please feel free to email us anytime for more information or if you have comments..
Gil Caldwell, President, GPA/Richmond
I am so happy to share the news of our New Website.. Thanks to our friend Caroline who did all of the design work!!!
This Blog feature will allow us to keep the site up to date and announce special things that are happening to our group and in the Greyhound world.. Please check here often for the latest and greatest news.
This coming weekend we will receive two special hounds from Melbourne Florida who will be going into a home together. One of these sisters, is blind in one eye but still gets around as if nothing was wrong. Their adoptive family is very excited to get them home.
We are trying to have shipments coming in on a two week basis and have several hounds in our foster homes at this time.. Please take a moment and consider providing a forever home for Rosie. Our senior Brood mom that we brought in last week.. She is 11.5yrs old but very spry and adjusting to home life very well. She takes short walks daily with her foster mom and has been picking up the habits of her foster sister. Providing a forever home for a senior like this, is an experience you will never forget.. Even at that age, they will race right into your heart..
Please feel free to email us anytime for more information or if you have comments..
Gil Caldwell, President, GPA/Richmond
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