Animal Advocates in Asia Speak Up for Greyhounds

A racing greyhound in Vietnam, March 2012

Asia is a key area in the global fight to end greyhound racing. In Macau advocates have joined Anima Macau in an effort to close the Canidrome, a dead-end track where Australian dogs go to die. Meanwhile, greyhound racing is expanding in Vietnam and Cambodia, and humane groups are cracking down on illegal greyhound racing in India. Other Asian countries, including Pakistan, have non-commercial forms of greyhound racing.

That is why we were so pleased last month for the opportunity to provide information for the Asia for Animals (AFA) Coalition's 2014 Conference. AFA is a coalition of 14 well known and respected animal protection organizations including Animals Asia, the RSPCA and the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

We put together a short presentation for the conference, outlining the challenges greyhounds face throughout Asia. In response, the AFA coalition officially endorsed two policy positions created by its Animals in Entertainment working group:

The AFA animals in entertainment coalition "support(s) the ANIMA campaign to close the Macau Canidrome"

The AFA animals in entertainment coalition "support(s) the GREY2K USA international campaign to prevent further development of the greyhound racing industry in Asia"

We are grateful to have this support, and look forward to working with our new partners to make life better for Asian greyhounds.

All over the world, leaders of the humane movement are speaking up for greyhounds. This is fantastic news, and yet another sign that the cruelty of commercial dog racing will eventually end everywhere.

The Importance of Supporting Greyhound Adoption

Whaler lives with a loving family in Michigan

Across the country, non-profit greyhound rescue organizations work tirelessly to find homes for dogs coming off the track. We owe a debt of gratitude to these groups and their volunteers, who are true heroes. That is why GREY2K USA maintains a national listing of greyhound adoption organizations, and regularly gives adoption referrals.

We also financially support greyhound adoption. Between GREY2K USA and the GREY2K USA Education Fund, we have given more than $34,000 to non-profit greyhound adoption organizations since 2009. During that period we made more than one hundred donations to groups across the country and world, including organizations in Kansas, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Florida, Idaho, California, Ohio, Virginia, New Jersey, Minnesota, New Mexico, Indiana, Arizona, Michigan, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, Pennsylvania, New York, Texas, Kentucky, Georgia, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, France, Guam and Spain.

This is an issue that should not be politicized. Greyhound adoption should be an area where everyone sets aside their differences and works together. Unfortunately, greyhound breeders have instead decided to use adoption as a political weapon, in an attempt to save their dying industry.

Last year, the Iowa Greyhound Association asked its members not to give dogs to adoption groups who speak out. This year greyhound breeders have gone a step further, and are actually calling for a ban on greyhound adoptions to people who don't share their political views.

This disturbing policy was voiced last week by racing greyhound owner Betty Carlson-Jameson on Facebook:

"I will NEVER and I do mean NEVER let one of my pups be adopted by an anti racing person!!!!!!!!"

It was echoed by another racing greyhound owner, Lisa Wheeler Pollington:

"I don't care if she feeds the dog prime beef on gold plated dishes. If (she) wants racing ended, she's not going to get her hands on one of my dogs if I have anything to do with it."

This is another example of how greyhound breeders put their political and financial interests ahead of animal welfare. To them the adoption community is just another group to intimidate, and use to perpetuate their cruelty.

Animal advocates should respond to this manipulative policy by giving even more to greyhound adoption. That is why GREY2K USA increased our adoption donations in 2013, and plan on giving even more this year.

We also need your help. Please make a generous donation to a greyhound adoption group in your community today. Together, we can make sure our compassion overcomes the strong-arm tactics of dog race promoters.