The primary function and goal of the Greyhound list has always been to give support to people who have adopted retired racing greyhounds. To this end, many new adopters join the list with questions regarding common greyhound problems and characteristics. More seasoned adopters offer advice and also have questions of their own. However, as list membership has grown over the years the members of the list have joined together to provide not only much needed advice, but also life-saving services for greyhounds in need.
One such example of this is GUR (Greyhound Underground Railroad). When a special-needs greyhound needs transportation from one location to another across the country, or part of it, a group of volunteers organizes the run and gets the dog or dogs where they need to go. This can be a dog from an adoption group going to a new home across the country, or a group of dogs from a closing track going to various adoption groups. For more info contact: GURrun@yahoo.com
Another function of the greyhound list is helping groups without vast resources. Recently the list pulled together to donate funds and service to a group working to save racing greyhounds in Spain. Efforts are also underway to establish adoption groups in Ireland and other parts of the world, using the Greyhound-l as a sounding board.
Several major national greyhound events have had their start on the Greyhound list as well. The now-famous Dewey Beach gathering had its beginnings on the Greyhound-l, as did the Abilene gathering, and Kanab '99.
Many local adoption groups garner support from the list, through fundraising efforts and promotion of greyhound-related events. With all of these gatherings, the goal is to support adopters and fanciers of greyhounds, to offer education and services.
The main goal of the list remains intact: We are here to help with any greyhound-related problem an adopter may have. There is no question too silly. The list as a population has a great deal of insight and advice to offer. List members like nothing better than a successful adoption and another greyhound enjoying retirement!
GH-L Secret Pal Program |
Point of Contact:
Paula Brown-Gibson
A Greyhound Secret Pal program was started by Paula, in March of 1999, as a way for list members to get to know another greyhound-loving person and receive and send goodies at the same time.
The basic concept behind this is: at least once a month, you send a goodie package (whatever you want to send!) -- a card, an email electronic greeting or something to a person who has no idea who you are. Another person, who you don't know, sends you something at least once a month.
The goodie package does not have to be greyhound related (examples include t-shirts, notecards, jewelry, hobby-related items, books, other pet - even non-greyhound - things, etc.), and is recommended to be worth $5.00 to $10.00 a month (of course, you can spend more!!).
A secret pal e-mail account is also highly suggested so that you may correspond with your pal on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. The current program will end on January 1, 2000, at which time another secret pal program should begin, as long as the interest is there. There are currently sixty members, and more can more added at the discretion of Paula. (Three new people have to sign up to be able to add anyone.) If you would like to sign up, send Paula an e-mail. She does ask that if you ask to sign up you are serious about this. It is not fair to the people actively participating to be ignored by their pal.
Greycoach Inn |
The Greycoach Inn is a combined volunteer resource to assist with the relocating of Greyhounds available for adoption from one area of the country to another. Volunteers offer rest breaks, overnights and/or roadside assistance to both professional haulers donating their time and equipment or volunteers. If you are planning to make a Greyhound Underground Railroad (GUR) run or just move greyhounds between organizations and will need assistance, please contact Coordinator Donna Oland for volunteers along your proposed route (phone no. 1-888-925-0874; www.geocities.com/greycoach). If you can volunteer your home, yard, other facility or expertise, please fill out our brief Questionnaire. Thank you for lending a helping hand.