April is Adopt-a-Greyhound Month

Thousands of Greyhounds In Need of Permanent Homes Due to the Economy, Recent Track Closings

Cape Girardeau, MO -- What better month than National Adopt-a-Greyhound month to welcome a beautiful, graceful, and gentle companion into your home.

A total of 10 Greyhound racing tracks have closed across the country since the end of 2008, and 25 have closed since 2000. An estimated 500 to 1,000 greyhounds have been displaced as a result of each closing. Add greyhounds that have been retired from still-existing tracks across the country and you have thousands of these vibrant dogs being cared for by adoption groups as they wait to be adopted into permanent homes.

Two tracks recently closed in Massachusetts as a result of state legislation banning racing, and the sluggish economy contributed to other closings across the country. April is National Greyhound Adoption Month, and The Greyhound Project is spreading their message of greyhound adoption awareness to ensure that 100 percent of the greyhounds waiting at adoption groups find caring homes.

"Greyhounds are graceful, gentle pets and companions," said President of The Greyhound Project Michael McCann. "The state of the economy has resulted in fewer adoptions and more surrenders. This factor, along with the track closings, really underscores the importance of finding permanent homes for these wonderful dogs."

The Greyhound Project works to assist over 300 greyhound adoption groups nationwide. The charity also publishes Celebrating Greyhounds, an award-winning quarterly magazine written for greyhound adopters, owners, and supporters.

About The Greyhound Project

Founded in 1992, The Greyhound Project is a volunteer, non-profit organization. The mission of The Greyhound Project is to promote the welfare and adoption of greyhounds by providing support and information to adoption organizations, adopters, and the public. Please visit www.adopt-a-greyhound.org for more information.

About Greyhound Pets of America

Greyhound Pets of America is a national organization dedicated to finding responsible loving homes for retired racing greyhounds. GPA's mission is to acquaint the public with the desirability of greyhounds as pets and inform them of the availability of these dogs for adoption. As a tax-exempt, non-profit organization, GPA depends on donations and volunteers to accomplish its goal.

The Cape Girardeau, Missouri, chapter of Greyhound Pets of America serves Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois. GPA Cape works to educate people in the surrounding areas about greyhounds as pets. GPA Cape has placed 66 greyhounds in homes since its beginnings in May 2005.

Meet and greets are held at the Cape Girardeau Petco store on the last Saturday of each month from 1:00 to 4:00 where you can come see what Greyhounds are like. Annual community events include the Southeast Missouri Home Builder's Association Home and Garden Show, the Charleston Dogwood-Azalea Festival parade, Barnes & Noble Gift Wrapping, and the Cape Girardeau Christmas Parade of Lights. GPA Cape also holds adoption promotions throughout the year at various local businesses, restaurants, and wineries.

President Cary Harbison of GPA Cape stated, "Greyhounds are one of the best natured breeds - smart, sweet, calm, and loving. With their gentle dispositions and good temperaments, these retired racing dogs can easily make the transition from the racetrack to a loving home." If you are considering adopting a pet, why not let a retired greyhound race into your heart?

If you can't adopt, you can help GPA Cape Girardeau, MO by making a tax-deductible donation or by volunteering your time to help promote its programs. The dogs will thank you!

For more information on adopting a greyhound from GPA Cape Girardeau, please visit www.gpacapemo.org or email info@gpacapemo.org. You may also call 573-332-8252.