Guam Greyhound Update: February 20, 2009

KABC TV News Video: Guam Greyhounds Get Fresh Start in L.A.

Transcript of KABC TV News Broadcast

 GUAM GREYHOUND NEWS ARCHIVE

January 15, 2009

Houdini and Jet Li - the first Guam greyhounds to arrive in the states.  The two boys were welcomed by Homestretch and GreySave volunteers at LAX - 5:00 a.m. Monday morning. 

More greyhounds will arrive every few days - same time (unfortunately)  . . .  same place.

MORE PHOTOS:  Some of the greyhounds that were found abandoned in the Guam villages and jungle. And photos of Jet Li and Houdini leaving Guam and arriving in Los Angeles. 
http://gallery.me.com/ncgreyhounds#100122&bgcolor=black&view=grid

LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Greyhound Network News  -  www.greyhoundnetworknews.org   -  click on "Breaking News and Guam Greyhound Update" 

Guam Greyhounds Website - www.guamgreyhounds.org   - check for updates, photos and more.

HOW TO HELP:  Participate in the Guam Greyhound Rescue fund raiser offered by Northcoast Greyhounds:   http://tinyurl.com/sfkj2

DONATIONS:  Tax-deductible donations - marked for Guam greyhounds - can be made through these organizations:

The Greyhound Project, Inc.
Greyhounds of Guam Fund.
P.O. Box 5239
Framingham, MA 01701.

            or:

Guam Animals In Need

Greyhound Rescue Fund
P O Box 22365

Barrigada, GMF, GU 96921

Donors can also go to the Guam Animals In Need (GAIN) website and make a donation via the GAIN PayPal account: http://www.guamanimals.org/hych_donate_cash.php

Thank you, we'll try to keep the good news coming.  

Guam Greyhound Rescue Team

Guam Greyhound Update:  January 8, 2009

Hello.
My name isTara. It's embarrassing to appear looking like this, but my friends at Guam Animals in Need want to make sure my story gets told right away. We hope that those responsible see this so that that some of my kennel mates might be spared my pain and suffering. Those who say a girl can never be too thin don't know the whole story. As you can see, I've had difficulty coping with abandonment. I never before needed to forage for food in the jungle, so I haven't been eating especially well lately. It was also hard to find water and avoid the rowdy packs of feral cousins that seem to be everywhere. I was very lucky today. Noni and her friend Amber found me and took me to the GAIN shelter and fed me and comforted me and I think it's all going to be OK. I believe they must have come along just in time. Don't you? You can visit me at the GAIN animal shelter, though it may be a few days before I'll feel much like playing. Thanks for reading, and please pass this along to all your friends. Best wishes,Tara. 

 

 

Guam Greyhound Update:  December 29, 2008 

            Guam Animals in Need (GAIN) has taken in 39 greyhounds as of December 2.  Eleven hounds have been adopted locally, 23 are at the GAIN shelter and 104 greyhounds are still kenneled at the track.  Funds are urgently needed for medical expenses (sterilization, vaccinations, etc); more funds will be needed to transport the hounds to theUnited States in the coming months.  

Tax-deductible donations for the Guam Greyhounds can be mailed to The Greyhound Project, Inc., Greyhounds of Guam Fund, P. O. Box 5239, Framingham, MA 01701 (write Greyhounds of Guam Fund on the memo line of your check) or send contributions directly to Guam Animals in Need, P.O. Box 22365, Barrigada, GMF, GU 96921.  Donations can also be made online through PayPal on GAIN’s website www.guamanimals.org   Click on the “Donate” tab:

Please note that although the Guam greyhounds were bred inAustralia, they became American greyhounds when they were sold and/or transferred to race on theisland ofGuam, aUnited States Territory.

Breaking News December 6, 2008

Guam Greyhound Track Closes Abruptly

Leaving Many Greyhounds at Risk

"Houdini"   Photo by Noni Davis, Guam

           Guam Greyhound shut down its racing operation November 7, 2008, leaving approximately 200 greyhounds at risk.  In the following weeks following the closure, the track began giving away the unaltered dogs to local residents.  Three greyhounds are known to have died, two from malnutrition and dehydration after they were staked out in someone’s yard for approximately three days; a third was found with a broken leg and was euthanized.

            Guam Animals in Need (GAIN), the only animal rescue organization on the island, is caring for about 15 greyhounds in their overburdened shelter and more dogs are being found alive almost day.  According to GAIN, most of the rescued dogs are dehydrated and malnourished.   The track is reportedly keeping 50 to 60 greyhounds for “exhibition” purposes. 

           The Greyhound Protection League (GPL), the American-European Greyhound Alliance (AEGA) and Greyhound Network News (GNN) sent out a joint press release  which details the efforts being made by the three non-profit organizations.

           AEGA co-founder Louise Coleman sent award-winning international photojournalist John Mottern toGuam on Thursday morning, December 4 to assess the situation and photograph the greyhounds. He is expected to arrive in Guam at 1:20 am Sunday (Guam time), December 7.

           GPL president Susan Netboy has been in contact with Guam Senator Judith Guthertz, who had repeatedly written to track management asking them to take responsibility for the greyhounds they have released to the public.  Track management has not responded.

          Guam is a United States Territory; its currency is U.S. dollars.  Anyone reading this news alert that would like to contribute to the dogs’ food, shelter and medical needs, may send a donation directly to GAIN.  Contact information:

Guam Animals in Need
P.O. Box 22365
Barrigada, GMF, GU 96921

Website:  www.guamanimals.org

Email:      guamanimals@yahoo.com

Phone:    1-671-653-4246 (no country code required)

 _______________________________________

UPDATE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Guam Greyhound Track announced today that they will be working closely with local and national greyhound organizations to formulate a responsible exit plan for the remaining retired greyhounds still living at the facility. Many of these national organizations have extensive experience in placing greyhounds into the domestic domain and will facilitate a screening and placement program to move these dogs into appropriate foster care as quickly as possible. 
 
The Guam Greyhound Track will match funds donated by welfare groups, up to $50.00 per dog initially and will continue to cover all the expenses of the dogs day to day care. These donations are to help cover the veterinarian costs for basic health reviews and sterilizations which will be needed for responsible adoptions. Funding for transport will be reviewed as needed.
 
“We are very happy to work with the Guam Track to help them transition these retired racers into the community in a thoughtful and responsible manor. We have been successful in making this happen at other racetracks around the world which have needed to place dogs into the private sector.” Said Louise Coleman, of Greyhound Friends Inc. in Hopkinton, Massachusetts.
 

A positive dialogue and commitment for the responsible placement of these greyhounds has also been made possible through the efforts of the Guam Territorial Veterinarian’s office headed by Dr. Thomas Poole. The efforts of Staff and volunteers with the Guam Animals In Need (GAIN) animal welfare shelter have been instrumental in this process.

 

John Mottern, Photojournalist
Guam, December 9, 2008

_______________________________________

Related Links

Click here to view advocate letter to track owner

Click here  to view a news broadcast on the Guam greyhound situation