Tuesday, July 28, 2015

In Macau, an Historic Moment for the Greyhounds

First International Roundtable on Greyhounds, photo by Heather Neil
After meeting with greyhound advocates in New Zealand and Australia, GREY2K USA Worldwide President Christine Dorchak and I ended our marathon campaign trip in Macau. All over the world dog racing is the subject of controversy, and the center of this debate is the Canidrome greyhound track, where every racing dog is eventually killed.

Christine and I inspected the track, a sad facility that reeks of death. Greyhounds with visible bandages and severed tails race before an empty grandstand. Seeing the worst dog track in the world strengthened my resolve to end this animal cruelty.

The Canidrome sits on government land, and has a lease that expires at the end of this year. Nearly 300,000 citizens from across the globe have already signed a petition to Macau Chief Executive Chui Sai On, asking him to let the track close. While in Macau, we were given a high level meeting with the Macau government, and left encouraged that a victory for the dogs is possible.

Our trip to Macau also made history. For the first time, top level animal protection leaders from all over the world joined together, in person, to address the cruelty of greyhound racing. We were incredibly honored to be joined at this meeting by Lyn White from Animals Australia, Paul Littlefair from the British RSPCA, Heather Neil from RSPCA Australia, Nancy Lai from the Taiwan SPCA, Teresa Lee and Chris Cui from the SPCA Hong Kong, Karina O'Carrol and Irene Feng from Animals Asia, Qin Xiaona from the Capital Animal Welfare Association, Kirsten Mitchell from Kirsten's Zoo and others. This all-star panel of animal protection advocates planned a strategy to close the Canidrome, and discussed other greyhound welfare issues.

This historic event was hosted by non-profit group Anima Macau and its dynamic President, Albano Martins. Albano is a true champion for all dogs, and it's a good sign that he is leading the fight to help the Canidrome greyhounds.

Christine and I are now back in the GREY2K USA Worldwide office, catching up on domestic campaigns in Florida, West Virginia and other states. Although the United States will always be our top priority, I see how intertwined the many fights now underway to help greyhounds truly are. This is a global problem, and deserves a global solution.
at

45 comments:

  1. SandraAugust 18, 2015 at 12:47 PM

    Thank you so much for all you do!

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousAugust 18, 2015 at 12:51 PM

    I second Sandra's comment. I find it all very upsetting but I am glad there are people who can take action.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousAugust 18, 2015 at 12:51 PM

    Happy to hear it! My Grey and I will be celebrating here! Roos to you!

    ReplyDelete
  4. RivergullAugust 18, 2015 at 12:58 PM

    GOVT OF MACAU: Please DO NOT RENEW the lease of Canidrome. Do the right thing for your Country.... RESCUE greyhounds and involve Macau citizens in RE-HOMING them. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousAugust 18, 2015 at 1:01 PM

    Thank you for what you and Christine are doing to end this cruelty!

    ReplyDelete
  6. HoundyCatAugust 18, 2015 at 1:06 PM

    You all are so wonderful and truly appreciated for the work you are doing on behalf of these poor dogs.

    ReplyDelete
  7. HoundyCatAugust 18, 2015 at 1:07 PM

    You all are so wonderful! Deepest thanks for all the hard work you are doing to give these dogs a much-needed voice.

    ReplyDelete
  8. UnknownAugust 18, 2015 at 1:10 PM

    The Canidrome should be shut down IMMEDIATELY! why PLAN A STRATEGY TO CLOSE IT.Planning a strategy takes time !!

    ReplyDelete
  9. UnknownAugust 18, 2015 at 1:18 PM

    What will happen when the racing tracks are closed? Hopefully someone puts in place and oversees the Greyhounds that will need homes. They need to receive veterinary care and make sure they are healthy. Please do not stop just getting the tracks closed follow through to save the dogs. Thank you for what you do.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CareyTheilAugust 18, 2015 at 2:23 PM

      We are planning for the closure of the Canidrome, and are ready to step up and help the dogs. Together, we can turn this into a wonderful opportunity for hundreds of greyhounds!

      Delete
  10. UnknownAugust 18, 2015 at 1:21 PM

    Thank you, thank you, thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Sally RogersAugust 18, 2015 at 1:21 PM

    Greyhounds at the tracks = angels in hell. Thank you for your efforts on behalf of these wonderful dogs.

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousAugust 18, 2015 at 1:25 PM

    Thank you for your dedication to this issue... The world is a better place because of it.

    ReplyDelete
  13. UnknownAugust 18, 2015 at 1:29 PM

    Horrible cruelty for the dogs. Appalling that so many humans can treat animals with so little conscience. You are doing yeoman's work and I hope that you can soon reap the great satisfaction of your good work. We all owe you. On behalf of the wonderful Greyhounds, thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  14. rickyAugust 18, 2015 at 1:37 PM

    Did they comment on their decision to close the track or did they leave it open ended? You mentioned nothing about how it was received or what commitment you received by the representatives of the government of Macau that attended. In fact I did not see the name of any Macau representative who attended. Talking to air and just meeting in their country does not mean they heard a word. Can you give us more of an update about who was there and how the pleas were received? Their responses? Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CareyTheilAugust 18, 2015 at 2:25 PM

      We met with several high ranking government officials, including the Director of the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau. The meeting was very encouraging. However, the Canidrome lease decision is ultimately up to only one person: the Chief Executive of Macau.

      Delete
  15. AnonymousAugust 18, 2015 at 1:37 PM

    Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

    Nancy

    ReplyDelete
  16. richard k bloomAugust 18, 2015 at 1:39 PM

    I am glad you went to Macau to see the abuse of greyhounds first hand.
    Keep us posted of further developments and thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  17. AnonymousAugust 18, 2015 at 1:43 PM

    God bless you ! Please see that all the Greyhounds find good homes.

    ReplyDelete
  18. AnonymousAugust 18, 2015 at 1:54 PM

    My heart aches when I see so many animals suffering. We can't change the whole world for better, but it's so comforting to know that there are people who believe that we can still make a difference for many animals. All because we care. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  19. AnonymousAugust 18, 2015 at 2:08 PM

    Thank YOU from my heart of hearts. Please ensure that all of these dogs have forever homes filled with sunshine, laughter and love.

    ReplyDelete
  20. AnonymousAugust 18, 2015 at 2:10 PM

    Together we can all make a difference,

    ReplyDelete
  21. AnonymousAugust 18, 2015 at 2:15 PM

    Thank you...These wounderful creatures desirves loving homes instead of disgusting race tracks around the World.. Stop All Greyhound Racing worldwide

    ReplyDelete
  22. David WolfAugust 18, 2015 at 2:15 PM

    Your efforts are truly GREYT. Hopefully the track will be shuttered forever..............D.W.

    ReplyDelete
  23. DebbieAugust 18, 2015 at 2:15 PM

    Me and my 5 Greyhounds (past & present) thank you for all you do for these beautiful and sweet dogs. Hopefully greyhound racing will come to an end everywhere. You can tell how they are affected when you adopt one and they are so lethargic and sad and you see them blossom into a happy, loving dog.

    ReplyDelete
  24. UnknownAugust 18, 2015 at 2:17 PM

    Wonderful work! Hopeful news! Light shines in the darkest corners.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CareyTheilAugust 18, 2015 at 2:26 PM

      We have given the Macau greyhounds a powerful voice, and are close to a major victory for the dogs!

      Delete
  25. Marc Leslie KaganAugust 18, 2015 at 2:17 PM

    Words cannot express my thanks to you for all that you do for the Greyhounds

    ReplyDelete
  26. Debbie MAugust 18, 2015 at 2:28 PM

    Thank you doesn't seem enough, but its all I have. You people are truly angels on earth. It is the best animal advocacy news I have read in weeks! Hopefully it will be the ending we are all hoping for ... to end the continuous suffering of these beautiful dogs all in the name of sport!

    ReplyDelete
  27. AnonymousAugust 18, 2015 at 2:40 PM

    Carey and Christine.
    thank you for your tireless fight against Greyhound Racing. God bless you both.
    Lisa taddeo

    ReplyDelete
  28. AnonymousAugust 18, 2015 at 4:13 PM

    Carey, Christine, and anyone who has fostered/adopted these dogs. Are they properly socialized or is there a learning curve for them in the event one wants to adopt? I just wonder how traumatic their life has been and if there is PTSD from being run into the ground and/or not cared for in a compassionate loving way domestic animals should be. I imagine they may need to reprogrammed...
    thanks for input. Their eyes are beautiful...please make this sadness stop for them to feel joy and love.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CareyTheilAugust 18, 2015 at 4:15 PM

      There is often an adjustment period for rescued greyhounds. Often, this happens when the dog is with a local adoption group, before it finds a permanent home. Greyhounds make incredibly wonderful companions! To find an adoption group near you, go to http://www.grey2kusa.org/action/adopt.php.

      Delete
  29. AnonymousAugust 18, 2015 at 4:28 PM

    Our sentiments fall into every comment we have read here with immense passion however one really takes the words right out of our mouths. And with respect to Debbie M, would like to reiterate and personalize our comment here to both Carey and Christine which is to say, "Thank you really doesn't seem enough, but it is all we have as well. You people truly are angels on earth!! And its euphoric to witness, read and participate in the best animal advocacy news we've read in weeks! Hopefully it will be the ending we are all hoping for ... to end the continuous suffering of these beautiful dogs all in the name of sport! Amen to that!! Annette & Jeff Patrone

    ReplyDelete
  30. Rebecca HarrisonAugust 18, 2015 at 4:41 PM

    Thank you for all your hard work and God bless you in your continued efforts to save the Grey's.

    ReplyDelete
  31. MargaretAugust 18, 2015 at 5:07 PM

    Thanks for all you do for greyhounds and other dogs.

    ReplyDelete
  32. AnonymousAugust 18, 2015 at 5:12 PM

    Thank-you for all you do and I hope you can are able to convince the government to close down this Macau greyhound racetrack and stop the suffering of these animals once and for all!

    ReplyDelete
  33. AnonymousAugust 18, 2015 at 5:50 PM

    God Bless you all for your hard work. You are all compassionate and wonderful people

    ReplyDelete
  34. AnonymousAugust 18, 2015 at 8:22 PM

    Poor dogs! It makes me cry when I read and see what people do to animals. Animals are so innocent so it's reassuring to read there are people who are working to stop the cruelty. I hope they do close it down. Seems like something that never should have been opened, being on government land. That is crazy to me. Do they get money from the track, being on their land? How does that work?

    ReplyDelete
  35. UnknownAugust 18, 2015 at 9:23 PM

    God bless you for fighting so hard so these innocent dogs. Please keep up the great and wonderful work. The dogs are depending on your voice for them.

    ReplyDelete
  36. hermit64August 18, 2015 at 10:10 PM

    I am so very happy not just for what you have achieved but also for the greyhounds that you have saved. May the fight around the world continue.

    ReplyDelete
  37. UnknownAugust 19, 2015 at 2:07 AM

    thank you for everything you did and God bless you all :)

    ReplyDelete
  38. AnonymousAugust 19, 2015 at 2:20 AM

    Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for the hard work all of you have accomplished. Your unending compassion, determination, and advocacy for these beautiful dogs is beyond inspiring. May the Canidrome be forever closed, and 'forever homes' found for all of these precious dogs!!! Thank you, again!

    ReplyDelete
  39. ReneeAugust 19, 2015 at 7:58 AM

    Thank you for your efforts to make this world a better place. Many blessings to you, your team & to God's creatures. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  40. AnonymousAugust 19, 2015 at 8:18 PM

    Well done! Keep fighting !

    ReplyDelete
  41. diharperAugust 19, 2015 at 11:23 PM

    Thank you for all you do. It seems like an endless fight to save animals. In our 51 years of marriage, we rescued 2 dogs, 11 cats, 1 rabbit, and 1 tortoise, I don't count all the bugs my daughter caught, watched and released the next day. I did not let the bugs in the house, because some would tear up the nylon (on top of the jar) and escape.

    ReplyDelete