Thousands of racing greyhounds in Florida will need new homes by end of 2020

[EleanorR]

Florida voters dealt a surprisingly decisive blow to greyhound racing, approving a measure that’ll ban the sport in their state by the end of 2020.

Amendment 13, which needed 60-percent approval to become law, got more than 5.3 million votes on Tuesday, good for 69 percent.

Passage of the sweeping measure means dog racing at 11 Florida tracks, with anywhere between 5,000 to 7,000 greyhounds, will be out of business by Dec. 31, 2020.

Officials on both sides of the ballot measure on Wednesday promised they'll find these unemployed greyhounds new homes.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/thousands-racing-greyhounds-florida-will-need-new-homes-end-2020-n933496

I'd love to adopt one, but my current pups wouldn't like it much.

[exboyfil]

1. My mom is not going to be happy

I am sure she will find a way to blame the Democrats for it. You can't pick your parents.

[superpatriotman]

2. Interesting to see how many of the 'dog lover' owners keep their dogs

This includes anyone who works for or around dog racing for a living.

My guess is it hovers around 1%

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

3. So would Iowa be the only place left that still races greyhounds then?

I used to have an ex-racing greyhound. Born in Iowa, raced there an bit, and then they brought her to Florida and she raced down there. I heard that most of the greyhounds are bred in Iowa specifically for greyhound racing.

[zipplewrath]

4. There's a whole organization dedicated to this

It's been around for years in insuring that the dogs are adopted after their careers are done. They committed to finding homes for the dogs.

[EleanorR]

8. Excellent!

Thanks, that's so good to know.

[Docreed2003]

12. The local rescue groups are going to be overwhelmed

They're anticipating as many as eight thousand dogs that will require fostering. It's not as simple as taking these dogs from the track and placing them in their forever homes. These dogs all have to learn how to "act like normal dogs" in a home environment. That usually means they are in foster homes for some time before being adopted. The rescue groups are receiving no funding from the state to help with placing these dogs. Our local rescue organization reached out to us this morning to help, which we plan to do, but many of these dogs are likely to be euthanized, which is heartbreaking

[zipplewrath]

14. Not sure where you got that

There was alot of conflicting information floating around over this. Many of the adoption groups were opposed to the amendment, officially, because if they joined it, they were cut off from involvement with the tracks. There are ALOT of adoption groups in Florida alone, and over 60 nation wide. Depending upon how quickly they phase this out, they have a shot at getting these dogs moved to permanent homes.

[Docreed2003]

16. All of my info is from our local Greyhound rescue group in TN

We are actively making plans to start bringing dogs up here for fostering in the next two weeks

[zipplewrath]

17. As are over 60 other groups

There were plans (as I understand from the press) well before the election to be prepared to have to process all these dogs all over the country. Florida already had the most tracks in the country, so apparently they were already processing them out of state. They've got about 2 years to accomplish this, although I suspect most of them will be sooner than later. Many of the tracks were running dogs because they had to in order to allow poker tables and other gambling. Many of them may stop very soon.

[montanacowboy]

5. Sweet Doggies

they all deserve loving forever homes

[get the red out]

6. Greyhounds are wonderful, sweet dogs

I hope they all find good homes, as long as they aren't let off leash, I have been told they make just wonderful companions!

[Docreed2003]

11. Amazing amazing companions!!

[Hotler]

15. I have met a half dozen or so retired grayhounds and all were big sweet hearts.

I you have two there will not be any room on the couch for you. Maybe in the middle.

[Ghost of Tom Joad]

7. I have adopted two

a male and a female. They are wonderful companions. And one of them came from Texas.

[Awsi Dooger]

9. I'm sick about that

I have a good friend who has raced greyhounds in Miami for more than 30 years. He has proudly shown me scrapbooks with hundred of pictures and carefully written notes alongside, describing the race and the dog. I talked to him two weeks ago and he was very nervous, for himself and his family and a couple of employees.

I haven't had the strength to contact him today. I am sure he is numb and wondering what the heck he'll do. He is in his early 60s.

Frankly I am disgusted that Democrats pushed for this measure to pass, in voting guides, etc. At least there were a few people in the Florida Forum here who understood the tentacles and said they also opposed it.

Disgraceful day for Florida on Tuesday

[Docreed2003]

13. We have and have had rescue greyhounds

There is a big misconception by some folks about how these dogs are bred and raised and treated while at these tracks. I'm sure, at least in my experience, the majority of those trainers are like your friend.

What pisses me off to no end in this situation is that the law does nothing to help provide for these dogs now. Our Nashville area rescue group started organizing last night to make plans for bringing some of the dogs here, but what our group can manage is a drop in the bucket to the eight thousand or so dogs that are currently track dogs in Florida. Many of these dogs are now facing the very real possibility of being euthanized...that makes me sick and it is certainly nothing to cheer about as the racing tracks close.

Thanks for sharing about your friend

[Docreed2003]

10. I came to post this as well

We got an urgent email this am from our local rescue group about this situation. While the ending of dog racing is to be celebrated, the new law does not provide for the care of these dogs. Greys are an amazing breed, we love ours dearly and will likely be fostering one of these Florida dogs in the coming weeks. If you are able and interested in adopting a greyhound, please reach out to your local greyhound rescue group and support these dogs. Thank you guys!