ALL ABOUT GREYHOUND RACING

A Presentation of the American Greyhound

Council

An industry organization formed in 1987 by greyhound breeders (NGA) and track operators (AGTOA)

Funds and manages greyhound welfare and adoption programs

Provides forum for breeders/track operators to address greyhound welfare issues

Interfaces with and supports responsible adoption groups

◼ Breed goes back 4,000 years◼ Pharaohs valued them highly◼ Mentioned in Bible (Proverbs 30:29-31)◼ Birth of greyhound second only to birth of

son◼ 11th century England—only nobles could

own and hunt with greyhounds◼ Greyhounds helped early American

farmers control rabbit populations◼ Informal races evolved into today’s sport

◼ NGA the official registry for racing dogs◼ NGA sets standards for greyhound care(nutrition, housing, exercise, health care, sanitation, genetics and kennel management)◼ AGC inspects farms to verify compliance◼ Tracks enforce standards via contracts◼ State regulators enforce state/local laws

◼ Unannounced AGC inspections verify farm compliance with industry standards

◼ Violators may be suspended or banned from racing for life

◼ Others may not do business with banned individuals

A breeder offers her favorite racer a treat…

◼ Usually begin training as one-year-olds◼ Learn to chase mechanical lures; no live lures allowed under industry and state rules◼ Run by instinct, but must learn to follow oval shape of track

Greyhounds can run as fast as 45 miles per hour!

◼ AGTOA official track organization◼ AGTOA Statement of Standards and Principles commits tracks to ensuring:

Safe, clean, well-ventilated kennelsPlentiful, healthy food and waterPrompt veterinary careDaily exercise outdoorsDaily grooming and observation

◼ Tracks require documentation that retired greyhounds have been adopted or returned to owner/farm as pets or breeders◼ Track-kennel contracts set out rules for kennel operations and greyhound care◼ Veterinarian always on site during races◼ Tracks fund their own adoption programs or donate to local adoption groups

Alabama Arizona Arkansas Colorado Florida Iowa Kansas Massachusetts New Hampshire Rhode Island Texas West Virginia Wisconsin

34 Tracks in 13 States

◼ 15,000 jobs $272 million taxes paid $195 million payroll $357 million in goods and services purchased $6.2 million given to charities

The Economic Impact of The Economic Impact of Greyhound RacingGreyhound Racing

◼ Internationally recognized “Care of the Racing and Retired Greyhound” Textbook◼ Funding of scientific research on greyhound health issues (e.g., kennel cough vaccine, canine bone cancer)◼ Sponsorship of veterinary symposia◼ On-line international greyhound research database

More than 90 percent of all

registered greyhounds

are adopted or returned to the farm as

pets or breeders when

they retire!

◼ $130,000 in grants to adoption groups◼ Adoption hotline ◼ Transportation◼ Crisis intervention◼ Training video for adoption volunteers◼ “Night of Stars” events◼ Sale of “Care” textbook

Greyhound tracks and industry organizations spend over $2 million each year to support and promote adoption efforts by groups across the U.S.

Everything you always wanted to know about greyhound racing but were afraid to ask…

Q. Are greyhounds fed healthy diets?

A. Greyhounds must be well nourished to perform at their best. The 4D meat in greyhound food is

not suitable for human consumption, but it’s healthy and nutritious for animals. That’s why it is used in most commercial pet

foods.

Q. Do greyhounds get enough outdoor exercise?

A. Greyhounds are “turned out” for outdoor exercise at least four

times daily for 15-60 minutes at a time. They prefer short periods

outdoors followed by rest in temperature-controlled quarters.

Q. Are greyhound crates large enough?

A. Industry rules require that greyhound crates be large

enough for even the largest greyhounds to stand, sit, turn

around and lie down comfortably. Most greyhound

crates are much larger than the crates pet owners use at home.

Q. Are greyhounds trained by chasing live animals?

A. No, the use of live lures in training or at the track is

prohibited by industry rules and state laws. Greyhounds are

trained using mechanical lures, and they chase artificial lures at

the track.

Q. Are greyhounds often injured while racing?

A. The vast majority of greyhound injuries are minor, allowing the greyhound to return to racing within a week or two. Most injuries still allow successful transition to adoption. Life-

threatening or fatal injuries are extremely rare.

Q. What happens to greyhounds when their racing careers are

over?

A. The vast majority of greyhounds, more than 90 percent, are

adopted or returned to the farm as pets or breeders when they

retire.

No kidding…we’re headed for 100 percent adoption of all eligible greyhounds.

For more information on AGC, visit: www.agcouncil.com

For more information on greyhound adoption, call 1-

800-366-1472