Homes sought for retired dogs amid track closings
Published: 11/18/08, 10:05 AM EDT
By LISA CORNWELL
CINCINNATI (AP) - Pet adoption agencies are pushing to find homes for a growing number of retired greyhounds amid a struggling dog racing industry and a weak U.S. economy that's left some prospective and current owners unable to afford a pet.
Many of the estimated 300 adoption groups nationwide are seeing increases in returns of adopted greyhounds and declines in new adoptions.
"There have been a lot of stress-related returns with people losing their houses or their jobs and more adoption groups are reporting new adoptions are down," said Michael McCann, president of The Greyhound Project Inc., a Boston-based nonprofit that provides support and information to greyhound adoption organizations and the public. "It seems to be related to the economy mostly."
The problem is compounded by more racetracks closing - at least seasonally - in the face of increased competition from casino gambling and the general economic slowdown, McCann said.
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