April is National Greyhound Adoption Month, and The Greyhound Project, a nonprofit group, hopes to spread its message of greyhound adoption awareness.
The Greyhound Project works with other groups to help find homes for dogs. In Tucson, it works with Arizona Greyhound Rescue.
More greyhounds than ever are up for adoption due to the economy and the closure of dog tracks.
Ten greyhound racing tracks have closed across the country since the end of 2008, and 25 have closed since 2000.
Up to 1,000 greyhounds were displaced by each closing. Add greyhounds that have been retired from still-existing tracks and you have thousands of these vibrant dogs being cared for by adoption groups as they wait for permanent homes.
"Greyhounds are graceful, gentle pets and companions," said Michael McCann, president of The Greyhound Project.
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"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."
• About Arizona Greyhound Rescue
Arizona Greyhound Rescue is a Tucson nonprofit funded solely by donations. It seeks to provide responsible, permanent homes for retired greyhound racing dogs. It also works to educate people about greyhounds as pets and has found 1,200 greyhounds homes since 1992.
Arizona Greyhound Rescue is always looking for volunteers to foster animals, help at the kennel in Marana and be committee members and board members.
For more information on adopting a greyhound from Arizona Greyhound Rescue, go to www.azgreyhoundrescue.org or call 886-7411.
• About The Greyhound Project
Founded in 1992, The Greyhound Project is a volunteer, nonprofit organization. Its mission is to promote the welfare and adoption of greyhounds by providing support and information to adoption organizations and the public.
Go to www.adopt-a-greyhound.org for more information.
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