GALTx eNews: Florida Votes To Ban Dog Racing!
On November 6th, Florida voted in favor of Amendment 13 to the Florida Constitution which will end commercial dog racing involving wagering in Florida by December 31, 2020. We know many hounds will be affected but, at this point, how the legislation will be implemented is unclear. As we have for the last 17 years, GALT stands ready to assist the displaced greyhounds in any way we can.
GALT is part of theĀ GreyhoundĀ Adoption Action Alliance, and has reached out to theĀ Texas Greyhound AssociationĀ and theĀ National GreyhoundĀ AssociationĀ to let them know that we stand ready to assist. We are also in the process of discussing plans that will increase GALT's capacity to handle many more greyhounds than we have in the past. As soon as we are able to share more, we will let you know more about those plans. So far, GALT has already received five calls from farms and breeders asking us to take brood moms and retired racers from Florida. We have placed 21 hounds on our waiting list, four of which will arrive Monday. The others will follow as logistics permit.
If you would like to help the Florida hounds, here are some things you can do right now:
1.Ā FosterĀ a greyhound: We already have ten hounds awaiting a foster home in boarding. We need to move them to foster homes immediately so that they can prepare for adoption and make space for the hounds that start arriving on Monday. Processing foster applications takes a us a little time, so please don't delay in completing yours today. Just clickĀ hereĀ to get started.
2.Ā Ā Volunteer: With more hounds and increased adoptions, we will need more volunteers of all varieties to help us process applications, check references, handle the hounds, manage the behind the scenes work and many other hound helping tasks. Fill out aĀ volunteer applicationĀ and get started today so that you're up to speed when the Florida hounds start to retire!
3.Ā AdoptĀ a greyhound: Greyhounds make great pets and opening your home to one now makes space for retiring hounds to move from Florida and farms into adoption groups such as GALT. Start by completing anĀ applicationĀ today!
4. Get involved inĀ GALT events: Join us by participating in the many fun, hound helping events we regularly host like shopping at theĀ Greytstore Holiday BoutiqueĀ or taking your chance on winning Dallas Cowboy tickets in theĀ GALT Greyt raffle. You'll get to know the team and contribute to our bottom line!
5.Ā Donate: We appreciate every dollar we receive and have a number of special purpose funds from which you can choose on ourĀ website. Please also consider starting aĀ Facebook fundraiserĀ so that we can reach even more people. They are quick and easy to set up.Ā Ā
Circumstances are changing by the hour and emotions are running high. Now, more than ever, we need to pull together for the welfare of our beloved greyhounds! Working together, we can ensure "no grey will be turned away." Stay tuned for more information. Thank you!
