Homes sought for retired dogs amid track closings

[Ghost in the Machine]

Homes sought for retired dogs amid track closings
Published: 11/18/08, 10:05 AM EDT
By LISA CORNWELL

CINCINNATI (AP) - Pet adoption agencies are pushing to find homes for a growing number of retired greyhounds amid a struggling dog racing industry and a weak U.S. economy that's left some prospective and current owners unable to afford a pet.

Many of the estimated 300 adoption groups nationwide are seeing increases in returns of adopted greyhounds and declines in new adoptions.

"There have been a lot of stress-related returns with people losing their houses or their jobs and more adoption groups are reporting new adoptions are down," said Michael McCann, president of The Greyhound Project Inc., a Boston-based nonprofit that provides support and information to greyhound adoption organizations and the public. "It seems to be related to the economy mostly."

The problem is compounded by more racetracks closing - at least seasonally - in the face of increased competition from casino gambling and the general economic slowdown, McCann said.

http://my.att.net/s/editorial.dll?bfromind=2728&eeid=6217654&_sitecat=1522&dcatid=0&eetype=article&render=y&ac=-2&ck=&ch=ne

[dysfunctional press]

1. dog racing should be illegal.

it's about a half-step above dog-fighting.

[hendo]

2. that sucks

hopefully they are able to find homes for some of these dogs, and hopefully the puppy mills are slowing down with thier breeding programs while the economy is down.

[glinda]

3. Palin loves dog racing

She is an idiot.

[Ghost in the Machine]

4. Shameless evening kick

[rvablue]

5. Please tell me that greyhounds are hypoallergenic

they are such sweet and nice family dogs.....and think it how elegant it would be to have this beautiful dog running around the South Lawn???