A Request From Greytexploitations

This morning I received an email from a good friend informing me about the following demonstration. She asked me to spread the word and so I am. Please bear in mind it is a PEACEFUL demonstration meant to raise awareness and not aggrevate those we need to work with to bring about change.

Calling all Supporters, Animal Rights Campaigners, Greyhound Rescues and Animal Lovers.......Let's Educate and Inundate!!!!



Peaceful National Awareness Demo Outside the 'Cheltenham Racing Festival' - Thursday 13th March 2008 11am - Please Attend this Important event if you can!!!

Cheltenham racecourse is hosting it's annual festival this year from Tuesday 11th - Friday 14th March 2008. The festival is to include greyhound racing on the Tuesday and also on the Thursday when the greyhound finals are to be held.

Greyhound Crusaders (formerly SDGA) and SWAP teams are working together with 'Greyt Exploitations' to organise a peaceful demonstration outside the festival on Thursday 13th March 2008 at 11am to coincide with the finals of the greyhound racing. Please attend this important event if you can. Please meet us at the main roundabout which intersects Evesham Road/Newbarn Lane and Swindon Lane, Cheltenham. PLEASE SEE MAP AND IMPORTANT TRANSPORT AND TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS BELOW.

The aim of the demonstration is to educate the public and raise awareness about the cruelty involved in greyhound racing and also horse racing. This is a golden opportunity to educate thousands of people as the festival is a huge event and last year almost 50,000 people attended the festival on the Thursday alone.

Greyhound rescues are most welcome - Please feel free to bring along any literature you would like to hand out which will help to educate the public about your work with rescued greyhounds and raising awareness on how wonderful greyhounds are as companions.

PLEASE DO NOT BRING DOGS!! - Sorry, we are having to ask everyone NOT to bring dogs to this event as we have been advised that this is not a suitable venue due to the very busy roads, the busy traffic and noise will only distress and frighten the dogs.

The Ease of Caring for a Greyhound

Many people enjoy having pets, but make no mistake they can be quite a responsibility. When picking an animal for a pet, consider a greyhound. Why you may ask? Well they are so easy to care for they are barely any work at all. They are loving, loyal, and very intelligent animals. What’s not to love? Especially when you see the ease of caring for a greyhound.

Greyhounds enjoy many activities that make them such great pets. They love to sleep for one. You may think this a bit odd because they love to run and are bred for said activity. However, you will be pleasantly surprised to see that as long as they do get enough exercise, they can be furry couch potatoes so to speak. Pet greyhounds especially love to sleep on a soft, comfortable surface and a dog bed is a great investment for you new addition to the family, unless you plan to let them lounge on the couch or share your bed.

While lounging about the house however, they do enjoy a bit of playtime. You can get simple toys to entertain them in the department. However, they do need to be allowed out of the house or apartment you live in at least a few times a day. Pet greyhounds love to run but they will be fine with a few brisk walks around the block. You must do this daily as they may lounge around, but they thoroughly enjoy a nice walk, especially if it is a long one. This helps to keep them thin and trim as they should be, and the exercise probably would be good for you as well. You must take caution with your walking routine however, if you live in a place where it tends to get cold. Greyhounds have short hair and need to be kept warm, just like you do. So when you bundle up for a walk, bundle your four-legged friend up too. They will be very appreciative and enjoy their walk much more thoroughly.

When you’ve both had your exercise, you may both have worked up an appetite. It’s important to know that feeding your pet greyhound once a day like most other dogs just isn’t good for them. This can cause bloating and make them very uncomfortable. Instead, try to feed them two or three smaller meals a day, just as you would eat. This will keep them happier and healthier. Besides, it’s always easier to burn off a smaller amount of calories at a time then one large lump sum of calories, whether you are man or beast.

One more important thing to remember is cuddles! You have fed them, took them on walks, perhaps even given them some free time to run, you have played with them, made them a comfy bed… What else is there? Oh yes! While you are lounging watching television, a certain four-legged friend of yours would like some attention. Pet greyhounds are known to be very loyal dogs. They love their masters whole-heartedly and want some affection in return. So next time you turn on the tube, cuddle up with your pet greyhound and enjoy some time with your buddy.

Sweden's Greyhound Regulations

As previously stated on this blog, I believe we all have to work together to prevent greyhounds being brutally tortured, cruelly treated and mindlessly slaughtered. Swapping ideas, experiences and opinions can only be helpful to the cause. I know many people will not agree with that but whilst we are all pulling in different directions it will be impossible to find a suitable solution that will benefit the very animals that we are trying to save - the gorgeous greyhound.

As a result of the above, I wanted to publish this comment by Sofia. It was left on the Facebook cause a short while ago. In it, Sofia draws attention to the existing system in Sweden and highlights just how it works:

Actually, you're not allowed to race a greyhound here without being a member of the racing hounds organisation and follow their rules. And those rules include that every dog that races must have one licensed owner who will take responsibility for the dog until it's at least ten years old. If the dog is put down before that age, the owner must report to the organisation showing a statement by a veterinarian confirming that it was so ill or injured that there was no other option. Otherwise the owner will be expelled from the organisation and further racing.

My impression is that most people who competes in greyhound racing actually see their dogs as pets and the racing as a hobby. I've met and talked to a woman walking her seven racing dogs of various ages, the oldest one twelve and long since retired, the youngest one just one year old... I got the impression this is the usual way to keep racing dogs around here, you just keep them as pets after retirement.

For a LONG TERM solution, it seems better to me if one would force owners of racing dogs to take responsibility for their own dogs until they're old, than just relying on other people rehoming them... Even if adopting an ex-racer is great for that individual dog

I would like to thank Sofia for bringing this to my attention because I hadn't actually come across this system before. What does everyone else think? All comments are welcome!

My Inspiration - My Beautiful Molly

Greyhound On Guard (complete with Teddy sidekick!)!



My Beautiful Girl And One Of Her Good Friends, Mr Sheep



Molly Relaxing On Her Bed (if you can't find her, this is where she is guaranteed to be!)



The Artist Formerly Known As Mary Be Lucky

The Tuscon Greyhound Racing Industry

Since starting this blog, I have made a number of great friends that share a love for the greyhound. I absolutely love hearing from them and learning from them because, in my opinion, if we are to help the breed then we need to learn as much as we possibly can about the greyhound racing industry to help these beloved dogs. I enjoy looking at the efforts of other people as well, even when the information on their pages is heartbreaking, because it reaffirms my faith in human nature a little bit.

There are some great sites out there that highlight the plight of the greyhound all over the world and one that is extremely well researched and written is End Tuscon Greyhound Racing. Karyn's site certainly provides an awful lot of food for thought!

Karyn points out that Arizona law provides that "Every effort shall be made to adopt greyhounds not used for racing or breeding" but that is not always what happens.
of course, there is more! Karyn has done a wonderful job of bringing this to people's attention so go and take a look at the site. It may be upsetting but it is definitely worth a read!

If anyone has a similar site or a blog that you would like featured here then please let me know and I'll give it a mention!

More Cause Comments...

The Facebook cause is still thriving and generating attention, which is never a bad thing. I thought I'd post some more of the comments I'd received on the notice board for everyone to read because they tend to reinforce the point that greyhounds make fantastic pets and advocate greyhound adoption!

Thanks to Marc-Andre for this one:

I just adopted my second ex-racer and helped with the arrival of a load in Canada. These are wonderful creatures that simply wants your affection and a nice comfy bed to lie on. One thing that is for sure, is that there will always be greyhounds in my life. I also experienced the arrival of a load and helped prep them (bathing, clipping, etc) for their new forever home. If you haven't adopted a grey yet, what are you waiting for?? Or if you have never interacted with a grey, you should strongly consider making that effort. Spend one minute with a grey and you won't want to live without them.

And Kim for this one:

I just recently aquired an Italian Greyhound and I am SO happy to see a cause such as this. It's horrible to think of my baby in such a position, or even dead. It breaks my heart to know that these loving and gentle creatures who, through no fault of their own, have no apparent use are treated. I'm looking to adopt another and I urge others to do the same. Thank you so much for creating this!