If you have been thinking about getting a pet,
consider adopting a greyhound.
Bluffs Run Greyhound Park's Adopt a Greyhound program is in association with Heartland Greyhound Adoption. HGA is a volunteer not-for-profit organization, formed and operating in central Iowa to promote the adoption of retired racing greyhounds. The mission of HGA is: to educate the public about greyhounds through outreach projects; to encourage and nurture the adoption of greyhounds; to accept and screen application for greyhound adoption; to establish foster homes for greyhounds prior to adoption; to aid and support the efforts of other greyhound friends and adoption groups; to setablish and promote cooperation and understanding with local humane societies and other animal-interest groups.
Caring for a Greyhound
Greyhounds are intelligent, calm, graceful creatures that make wonderful pets. These good-natured sighthounds thrive on love and attention. They reward their owners with a lifetime of unconditional love and affection. Find out what greyhound greyhound owners have known for centuries: Adopt a gentle greyhound and make a lifelong friend.
Greyhounds love people and tend to be quite sociable. Retired racers have been handled a great deal during their early years by dog walkers, trainers, veterinarians and others. Many trainers are women who sometimes bring their children to work, so retired racers frequently have been exposed to children of all ages.
The greyhounds available for adoption through HGA are usually between 2 and 5 years old. They weigh between 50 and 80 pounds and stand from 26 to 30 inches at the shoulder. Their average life span is 12 and 15 years. They are very clean, have minimal shedding and no doggy odor. Greyhounds also vary in colors; they may be anything from blue (grey) to brindle.
Retired racers have been trained to chase lures,an it is the Greyhound's nature to run. They are sprinters who can run up to 45 miles an hour for very short periods.
Thousands of years of breeding and racing experience combine to mean greyhounds must NEVER be allowed to run loose. They must always be leashed and handled by an adult when outdoors unless they are in a securely fenced area. Years of obedience training and bonding with their owner will not change this. And, most communities have leash laws that dog owners must follow.
Greyhounds at home don't need a lot of exercise. They are content with a soft bed and a walk with you!
If you are interested in adopting a greyhound,
call:
Heartland Greyhound Adoption at (515) 210-0459
P.O. Box 342
Bondurant, IA 50035
or contact via website at:
http://www.heartlandgreyhoundadoption.org/
