Even with the sport of greyhound racing on the downturn, thousands of greyhound puppies and retired racers are euthanized each year. But not at the Greyhound Adoption Center in El Cajon. A no-kill rescue facility, more than 100 volunteers pick up greyhounds and greyhound mixes, nurse many back to health and keep them until they can find a permanent home.
Even with the sport of greyhound racing on the downturn, thousands of greyhound puppies and retired racers are euthanized each year. But not at the Greyhound Adoption Center in El Cajon. A no-kill rescue facility, more than 100 volunteers pick up greyhounds and greyhound mixes, nurse many back to health and keep them until they can find a permanent home.
On Sunday, the Greyhound Adoption Center (GAC) held its Reggae Goes to the Dogs-a Family Festival for the Love of Dogs to Benefit Greyhound Rescue fundraiser. Dogs of all breeds, and their owners spent the afternoon listening to the smooth beats of four Reggae bands, six legged egg races, costume contest and much more. For the dogs, treats, pools of cool water and plenty of company and exercise filled their afternoon.
Francie Murhpy, volunteer, said there are about 45 dogs up for adoption at his time in the kennels. GAC places more than 150 dogs a year in permanent homes since its opening in 1986. During that time the GAC found homes for nearly 6,000 dogs, both greyhound and greyhound mixes.
“These dogs from racetracks from across the United States,” said Murphy. “There are several states where greyhound racing is still legal and when the dogs stop winning, they destroy them. Many of these dogs also come from the racetrack in Tijuana. You can see how docile they all are. They just want love.”
Murphy said they need to hold fundraisers like this so that they can pay for the care of the facility, medical care for the dogs that have injuries and to house, feed, bathe and take care of these dogs until they are adopted.
“This is the first time we used the Reggae theme and it looks like we have about 350 people attending the event,” she said. “The food trucks, the beer, bands and vendors give a portion of the proceeds that they make to the GAC. This is a great fundraiser for us and hopefully we will do it every year. One of the nice things about this event is that all dogs are invited, so you can bring your family and your dog. They all get along and that is what is really nice about it.”
Bill Bailey, along with his wife Stephanie from Spring Valley are volunteers after adopting a greyhound of their own from the GAC. He said his dog came from Caliente, Mexico.
“When we got our dog, we decided to get more involved with the work they do here at the adoption center,” said Bill Bailey, “I look at this in a simple way—I get to play with puppies.”
He said it is sad when he sees them placed, but is also happy that they get to go and have a new home.
“There is a lot of important work we do here,” he said. “You have to take care of them. You also have to look out for problems with going to the bathroom, vomiting, whether they ate and we log in everything that the dog does.”
“We adopted one of the dogs that had a broken leg,” he said. “His GAC name was Swift, but we named him Axel. One of the great things is when you adopt here you get the history, especially if they are racing dogs.”
Murphy said the event raised $11,000 and there are now 12 future perspective greyhound rescue dog owners, calling the event a complete success for the center and the dogs.
