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

[groundloop]

Source: NBC News

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.

Jim Gartland, executive director of the dog racing industry’s umbrella group National Greyhound Association, said 98 percent of retired racers are regularly adopted to families. And an overwhelming majority of the remaining 2 percent live out their days on farms, working as breeders, he added.

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

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OH SHIT.

I adopted a retired greyhound - they are absolutely wonderful pets. They go outside to run around a couple of times a day, and the rest of the time they're just couch potatoes. Very smart, very easy to train.

ALSO, many greyhounds get along just fine with cats. The greyhound adoption groups test them, so when you adopt one you can make sure to get a 'cat tolerant' dog if need be. My wife and daughter brought a kitten home and our greyhound got along great with it, they'd actually eat leftover people food out of the same bowl.

Anyone thinking about getting a new 4 legged addition to your family should look into adopting a retire greyhound, especially now.

[flyingfysh]

1. There are a lot of ex-racer greyhounds in Massachusetts

The local dog track in the Boston area was shut down some time ago. I see several pet greyhounds being walked in my neighborhood. They are very calm, sedate dogs. When my Cookie barks at them, they just ignore her and go on about their walks.

Also, at my house we have two cats who were rescued as kittens from the dog track (they were abandoned) after the track shut down. I think the cats were used to control mice there.

[BigmanPigman]

2. My vet in CA rescues them.

I am sure she will be on this new info and help the poor dogs.

[mindfulNJ]

3. I want one.

I have heard they make wonderful companion dogs.

[TeamPooka]

7. there are. they are also great couch pototoes too. they aren't just crazy runners.

[sandensea]

4. So then they're just like Basset Hounds

Except for the part about being easy to train.

[groundloop]

8. Yes, pretty much. In fact that was my greyhounds favorite position

[sandensea]

9. Aww.

Post a few photos one of these days!

[Bayard]

5. I've had three retired Greyhounds

They are WONDERFUL dogs, very intelligent, kind, quiet, and loving. But it does take someone with the right attitude to adopt one. Most Sighthounds can have very cat-like personalities, and they can never be allowed to run loose.

I would love to have more.....but I currently have 3 Great Pyrenees rescues in the house--and it ain't a big house!

My fear is that thousands of these dogs will end up in mass graves by unscrupulous breeders.

[HopeAgain]

10. Three here too - each was great

Unfortunately my last one died about two months ago. We then decided it was time to downsize our home and can't have a dog at the new place. Otherwise I'd take at least one in a heart beat.

Can confirm that they are wonderful dogs. Best if they have a big yard or can go to a dog park on a regular basis if they are still young.
They are good with kids, cats, whatever else they would be living with.

There have been horrible cases here in Florida where the dogs have just been left to die after tracks closed. I hope the state is monitoring that.

[Duppers]

11. ...

for all that aren't saved.

[TeamPooka]

6. I had a whippet lab mix than leaned toward her whippet greyhound side. She was wonderful