Local greyhound adoption group sees drop in applications
Greyhound Pet Adoptions of Delaware President Sandi Roberts doesn’t know the exact reason applications to adopt have dropped, but they have, and she’s looking for more.
Typically, there have always been people waiting, said Roberts. However, applications began to drop off earlier this year and more recently there haven’t been any, she said during an Aug. 17 interview.
GPAD is an all-volunteer group based in Bethany Beach. Roberts said she thinks one of the reasons for the decline in applications is because people know greyhound racetracks have been closing over the past few years. There are only two greyhound tracks left in the United States, she said.
Greyhound racetracks may be closing nationally, but in other areas of the world they’re still thriving and don’t have a strong adoption program in place, said Roberts. She said those places where greyhounds are still being raced also typically don’t have a good network for adoptions.
Robertson said GPAD has developed a relationship with a greyhound adoption group in Australia and recently picked up its first group of animals. There were four dogs, and have all been adopted, she said.
According to GPAD’s website, the organization placed 47 greyhounds in adoptive homes in 2020, 39 in 2021 and 29 in 2022. Robertson said they’re hoping to get back to earlier numbers, which is why the adoption applications are so important. The relationship with the group from Australia should help facilitate that, she said.
Robertson said the Cape Region is an ideal place for greyhounds because of all the retired people living here. There’s a misconception that greyhounds are high-energy animals because they race, but that’s not the case, said Robertson.
GPAD takes its adoption-facilitating responsibilities seriously and requires an in-person home visit before any applicant is approved to adopt a greyhound, said Robertson, adding that GPAD provides ongoing support for the dogs and their adopters.
It’s not 100%, but the organization’s bounce rate is really low, she said.
The annual Greyhounds Reach the Beach event will be held in Rehoboth Beach for four days beginning Thursday, Oct. 5. GPAD took over operation of the weekend-long event last year. Roberts said if people are interested in adopting a greyhound, they can meet hundreds of dogs and their families during the event. All their questions can be answered, she said.
For more information on Greyhound Pet Adoptions of Delaware or to find an application for greyhound adoption, go to gpadelaware.org, call 302-399-7186 or email adopt@gpadelaware.com.
