I've seen this happen at 3 different tracks and it really bothers me.
There are some kennels that really stick to their guns and go the extra mile for their dogs. There is no option but adoption for them and the adoption groups at the tracks know who they are. Time after time those kennels get passed up by adoption groups because the groups feel that in those kennels the dogs are "safe" and they are "safe" right up until the kennel has to close because they are overwhelmed with pets.
I really feel that groups should be supporting them just as much as the other kennels- I mean they stand for what I think we all want which is 100% adoption.
Keep in mind that the more pets that are waiting in kennels to be adopted out means less racers that bring in money for the upkeep on all the dogs in the kennel, that's why they go out of business.
What do you think about this?
Full Version: Tough Question
You raise some good points. I am not that sure about the process of the adoption groups choosing which dogs to take and not take.
Hmmm ... that is something I should ask about with the group we adopted Ty from? Thanks for raising this interesting point.
Tara
Hmmm ... that is something I should ask about with the group we adopted Ty from? Thanks for raising this interesting point.
Tara
Agreed. In actuality the kennels need to realize that by threatening to PTS is not doing themselves any favors. It totally sucks but adoption groups really must stick to their guns and accept and move all dogs, regardless of which kennel they originate from, sometimes they are going to have tell a kennel owner/trainer, "Fine, PTS and you can deal with that on your conscience." In the long run, the good guys get screwed because alot of adoption groups will jump when the PTS is uttered.
The bottom line is that there are not enough volunteers, publicity, or adoptive homes, to accept ALL retired greyhounds entering the adoption community. It sucks, but its reality.
What I imagine is going to happen? More tracks will close, breeders/kennel owners/trainers will get out of the business, since there are less and less tracks to send their dogs to. The industry will level out to hopefully, only supplying enough dogs to fill the cards at current tracks and hopefully there will be waiting lists of adoption groups needing dogs. Not sure what kind of timeframe we're talking about....10-15 years? But what do I know? I just volunteer my time to work for greyhound adoption.
The bottom line is that there are not enough volunteers, publicity, or adoptive homes, to accept ALL retired greyhounds entering the adoption community. It sucks, but its reality.
What I imagine is going to happen? More tracks will close, breeders/kennel owners/trainers will get out of the business, since there are less and less tracks to send their dogs to. The industry will level out to hopefully, only supplying enough dogs to fill the cards at current tracks and hopefully there will be waiting lists of adoption groups needing dogs. Not sure what kind of timeframe we're talking about....10-15 years? But what do I know? I just volunteer my time to work for greyhound adoption.
| QUOTE (xracers @ Aug 15 2007, 07:08 AM) |
| I've seen this happen at 3 different tracks and it really bothers me. There are some kennels that really stick to their guns and go the extra mile for their dogs. There is no option but adoption for them and the adoption groups at the tracks know who they are. Time after time those kennels get passed up by adoption groups because the groups feel that in those kennels the dogs are "safe" and they are "safe" right up until the kennel has to close because they are overwhelmed with pets. I really feel that groups should be supporting them just as much as the other kennels- I mean they stand for what I think we all want which is 100% adoption. Keep in mind that the more pets that are waiting in kennels to be adopted out means less racers that bring in money for the upkeep on all the dogs in the kennel, that's why they go out of business. What do you think about this? |
At PBKC, we are to take the listed availabls in order. That is not so say that thee has not been cherry picking by groups in the past. One group only took females. I believe that is no longer allowed, but I suspect there have been/are some private arrangements with some favored trainers. Just speculation here.
QUOTE (gpagreys @ Aug 15 2007, 11:22 AM)
| QUOTE (xracers @ Aug 15 2007, 07:08 AM) |
| I've seen this happen at 3 different tracks and it really bothers me. There are some kennels that really stick to their guns and go the extra mile for their dogs. There is no option but adoption for them and the adoption groups at the tracks know who they are. Time after time those kennels get passed up by adoption groups because the groups feel that in those kennels the dogs are "safe" and they are "safe" right up until the kennel has to close because they are overwhelmed with pets. I really feel that groups should be supporting them just as much as the other kennels- I mean they stand for what I think we all want which is 100% adoption. Keep in mind that the more pets that are waiting in kennels to be adopted out means less racers that bring in money for the upkeep on all the dogs in the kennel, that's why they go out of business. What do you think about this? |
At PBKC, we are to take the listed availabls in order. That is not so say that thee has not been cherry picking by groups in the past. One group only took females. I believe that is no longer allowed, but I suspect there have been/are some private arrangements with some favored trainers. Just speculation here.
Does PBKC hold the list of pets and then tell the groups who's in line to go next?
Well, Pat - you know whose dogs come to my house... but that doesn't make much of a dent and they have this same problem up in Hinsdale. It's a blessing that the owner of these kennels has a very good day-job and is willing to spend his personal money to feed the pets. But you can't spend your personal money forever - sooner or later you run out - especially when it comes to retirement time. This is an issue that the industry has to address. GPA could address it, but they only speak for some of the adoption groups - I suspect that it will have to be controlled by AGTOA or NGA in order to make a diference, but I can't see either of those entities rocking the boat. I suppose I've become one of those nay-sayers...
It must be very difficult for groups who are faced with that decision. The only way I can see the problem being resolved is if the industry had some type of control. My group gets all their dogs from a dead end track, so there is no question but I imagine if there were a choice between taking those dogs and dogs who have no chance of being put down..... well, the decision would be obvious.
I know it sucks for kennels to be penalized for doing the right thing but it is not the groups who are penalizing you. They are doing the best they can with what they have to deal with.
Jenna
I know it sucks for kennels to be penalized for doing the right thing but it is not the groups who are penalizing you. They are doing the best they can with what they have to deal with.
Jenna
QUOTE (xracers @ Aug 15 2007, 11:31 AM)
| QUOTE (gpagreys @ Aug 15 2007, 11:22 AM) | ||
At PBKC, we are to take the listed availabls in order. That is not so say that thee has not been cherry picking by groups in the past. One group only took females. I believe that is no longer allowed, but I suspect there have been/are some private arrangements with some favored trainers. Just speculation here. |
Does PBKC hold the list of pets and then tell the groups who's in line to go next?
PBKCprints a list every week from thetrainers. We take the pups in order. a trainer will tell us about another they have held back (sometimes)
If that dog happens to fit a dog someone(a volunteer who wants to adopt another) wish list we will take them after we make a call to the adopter to verify that we have their big black boy or small white girlie available and do they want this one.
Of course our intake guy keeps finding one he can't pass up because he or she gave him "the Look" He now has 5~ Bahahaha
This is a so true.. we had to close our kennel because we couldn't afford to feed all the pets. We were constently passed over because "so-n-so said they were going to put dogs down, so we can't take yours now". One group told me that they knew mine were safe, which was true, but after feeding the same dog for 6 months was getting to be too much. And don't expect help from most of the owners. Once the dog stops making money they don't want anything to do with it. I know there are some owners who do work hard to place their dogs or help support them, put most don't. Even after we closed, we had to feed dogs waiting for groups for three more months in the overflow kennel, drive for hours taking them to groups and having the track and state officials telling you to get the dogs out! Wasn't a fun thing. I still love racing, but something needs to change. They can't continue the way they are going now.
| QUOTE (dvsgryhnd @ Sep 17 2007, 04:52 PM) |
| This is a so true.. we had to close our kennel because we couldn't afford to feed all the pets. We were constently passed over because "so-n-so said they were going to put dogs down, so we can't take yours now". One group told me that they knew mine were safe, which was true, but after feeding the same dog for 6 months was getting to be too much. And don't expect help from most of the owners. Once the dog stops making money they don't want anything to do with it. I know there are some owners who do work hard to place their dogs or help support them, put most don't. Even after we closed, we had to feed dogs waiting for groups for three more months in the overflow kennel, drive for hours taking them to groups and having the track and state officials telling you to get the dogs out! Wasn't a fun thing. I still love racing, but something needs to change. They can't continue the way they are going now. |
Wow, that is exactly what happened to me.
I can understand why the groups go running to the kennels that yell kill, but I don't agree with it. I feel that every kennel has the same choices that we had and if it was as important to them to pet out their dogs as it was to us then the dog business would be just that much better, instead of the condition that it's in now.
I know I went through so much crap but I stuck to my guns. The worst thing that happened was and still is to all 100% adoption race kennels, is hearing the kennels that are killing dogs use my view on adoption as part of the reason that they kill dogs-" I don't want to go broke like you".
We just had another 100% adoption kennel close this week at the track- they couldn't move a dog into adoption for the life of them. Now there's only 2 out of 17 left. 2 years ago there was 5.
Something has got to change or all kennels will be kennels that don't care.
Just like in any industry or business, you have the great ones and the bad ones. I believe overall, there are more good ones then bad out there.