About Us

Greyhound Pets of America is a tax-exempt, non-profit corporation founded in 1987 for the purpose of rescuing ex-racing greyhounds.

As of 2004, Greyhound Pets of America has 40 chapters and 5 sub-chapters around the nation. In 2003, GPA placed more dogs than any single organization at approximately 4,500.

GPA works with the racing industry to encourage its involvement with adoption efforts. The American Greyhound Council, a racing industry-sponsored organization established for the welfare of the greyhounds, began funding a nation-wide 800-number service (800-366-1472) in June, 1990. It asked GPA, as the largest greyhound adoption organization, to administer this service. Since then, GPA has fielded thousands of inquiries about greyhound adoption and sent prospective adopters to the nearest adoption agency.

The GPA adoption program depends on donations and volunteers to accomplish its goal. Whether you send a donation to the current GPA National Treasurer (see list of officers below) or to one of our member chapters, your donation will be tax-deductible.

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Executive Officer Bios

Rory S. Goree' President - Greyhound Pets of America - 2002 - present.

Resides in Glendale, Arizona with his wife Barbara and 8 greyhounds - Scotty, Blueberry, Marty, Harley, Remey, Nutmeg, Lucy and Gracie. They also have two cats - Bear and Princess.

Greyhounds that Rory and Barbara adopted but have gone onto the bridge: Anna Maria, Christy, Rusty, Bart, Paddy, Sally, Cleo, Wiley, Cinnamon, Ricky, A-K, and Old Man.

Prior to becoming President of Greyhound Pets of America - National - Rory served as Vice President for two years.

As President of Greyhound Pets of America the worlds largest single breed adoption program. Rory is responsible for providing the leadership, guidance and vision to meet the goals of GPA and ensuring that our mission is maintained and followed to our 50 chapters and more than 10,000 members.

Rory also oversees the daily activities and tasks that are required to keep the organization functioning and running smoothly.

Rory's vision is 100% adoption and spends a majority of his free time constantly looking for ways to break down the barriers that prevent 100% adoption today and searching for ways to make our organization more efficient.

Rory keeps himself active with the meaning and mission of GPA by volunteering with GPA-AZ as a foster parent, adoption representative and dog occasional hauler.

Rory is also the co-host of Greyhounds Make Great Pets - a weekly one hour internet radio show called Greyhounds Make Great Pets.

Rory's first Greyhound - adopted from GPA-California was Alina Maria - renamed Anna Maria. Anna - a dark brindle and five years of age when adopted. Her last track was Yuma, Arizona a track which is no longer running. When Anna was adopted - Rory and Barbara where very impressed with the time and efforts that the group put into their adoption. Matching the right dog and home visits along with dog evaluations is something that is very time consuming. With the perfect dog in the home, and a impressed outlook of the organization - Rory and Barbara determined that this was an organization that they wanted to be part of and give of themselves too.

Rory never had visions of becoming President of this organization in the early days - but now that he is - considers it a privilege to be leading an organization with so many people who give so much of themselves for our mission, for our hounds.

Liz Ardell - Executive Secretary

Liz Ardell, Executive Secretary - Greyhound Pets of America - 2004 to present
Resides in Kansas City, Missouri with her husband David and 3 greyhounds Effee, Power and Dell. As Executive Secretary of Greyhound Pets of America the worlds largest single breed adoption program, Liz is responsible for providing administrative support to the national officers as well as guidance and vision for those greyhound adopters wanting to start their own greyhound adoption chapter in their area, as well as providing support to those newly formed subchapters of GPA.

Liz keeps herself additionally active in greyhound adoption by volunteering with GPA-MoKan. Liz had no idea that by adopting her first greyhound, Effee, in 2001 from GPA-Northern Virginia would begin she and her husband's incredible journey into the world of such wonderful pets. Liz's first experience with a retired racer was a neighbor's greyhound named Hambone, who was adopted in Abilene, Kansas when adoption groups in the U.S. were not prevalent. His speed, grace and friendliness always stayed in the back of her mind and when she and her husband were looking to adopt a companion dog, they researched retired racing greyhounds as pets. Liz and David have stated that they will never have a different breed of dog than a retired racing greyhound in their household!

Noreen Reid - Corresponding Secretary

Noreen adopted her first greyhound in 1999 and became involved with GPA Houston as a volunteer soon after that. She joined the Board of Directors in 2001 and served in many capacities for 3 years. Over the past 5 years Noreen has fostered over 100 greyhounds, specializing in special needs and seniors.

In 2003 Noreen became editor of the GPA National Communiqué and took over the role of webmaster for the GPA National website. She was elected to the position of Corresponding Secretary at the 2004 National Greyhound Adoption Conference and currently serves on the 7 by 7, and Sub Chapter committees and is the webmaster for several GPA adoption groups.

Noreen lives in The Woodlands, Texas and shares her home with 4 greyhounds ( Corkys Scanner, Bridie, Darby and Lizzie and two rescued Miniature Pinschers (Tara and Cosette) with greyhounds Classy, Jake, Denny, Honey, Kirby and Boots waiting at The Bridge.

GPA Greyhounds

Greyhounds placed through the GPA program usually are between two and five years old. These ex-racers are intelligent, quiet, clean, gentle, good-natured, adaptable dogs who adjust readily to their new home environment. They are eager to please and respond positively to any attention. They seem grateful for their new homes and regard their new owners with never-ending affection. They do not require a great deal of space to run, as many people think, but they do need exercise. Inside the house they enjoy curling up in a corner on a soft blanket.

Greyhounds spend most of their lives in the company of other dogs, their trainers, and handlers. Greyhounds have all the advantages of breeding and training when it comes to being a good pet. Their sociability generally makes them great with other pets (including cats). Their temperament makes them wonderful around children and friends. Their intelligence and breed make them perfect house pets, clean, quiet, and a loving companion. Whether you are a family looking for a playful friend, or an individual looking for a devoted companion, a well-mannered greyhound could be just the pet for you.

Many adoptive owners find that Greyhounds fit in well with their new families. "Greyhounds make wonderful pets," says Joan Headland, a founder and the first president of GPA. "They're fantastic. Their temperament is wonderful, they get along well with children and the elderly. They're quiet, very loving, and sweet. When they're inside, they're couch potatoes. Outside - if they see something move, they chase it."

Early in 1987, what was then New England REGAP (Retired Greyhounds As Pets) invited various greyhound adoption groups across the country to join in the formation of a national greyhound placement organization. One of the groups invited to participate was REGAP of California, which Joan Headland and Carol Osborne helped form in the Los Angeles County area in 1986. Representatives meeting in Oxford, Massachusetts, on April 4, 1987, formed the Greyhound Pets of America with nine chapters around the country. At this meeting, officers for the new organization were elected to interim terms: John Furbush, President (Massachusetts), Joan Headland, Vice President (in absentia; California), Ann Tepper, Executive Secretary (New Hampshire), Lori Graham, Corresponding Secretary (Virginia), Lou Batdorf, Treasurer (Ohio), and Joan Dillon, Resource Librarian (Massachusetts).

The photo above is from the 1987 conference: (top row, left to right): Joan Headland (Calif), Joan Dillon (Mass), and Roger Garland (Northwest). Bottom: Gloria Sanders (Midwest), Carol Osborne (Calif), Pat Lewellen (Midwest), Kathy Feltich (Midwest).

The nine founding chapters were: California, Connecticut, Midwest, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, upper Ohio Valley (now known as Wheeling Downs), Texas, and Virginia.

The organization wanted to take a neutral position toward the greyhound racing industry. As a non-racing state but home to greyhound rescue groups, they determined that California was the best place to incorporate. The interim president called Joan Headland, who agreed to take on this task on behalf of the California chapter. Carol Osborne volunteered to head up the incorporation work.

Carol did extensive research on the subject of incorporating a non-profit organization in California. The written work began in May, 1987. One of the requirements for incorporation is a set of by-laws, so Joan worked on the by-laws while Carol worked on the other requirements. A first version of by-laws was sent to the original nine chapters asking for editing, suggestions, and revisions. Three people in particular really became immersed in those by-laws; Lou Batdorf (Ohio), Samantha Parsons (California) and Joan Dillon representing GPA/MA. After editing and mailing thoughts back and forth, the GPA incorporation process was well on its way. By November, 1987, GPA was registered as a California non-profit corporation.

Once the formal documentation for the State of California was in order, work began on GPA's federal tax exemption. On July 18, 1988, all paperwork was submitted to the Internal Revenue Service. Many hours went into preparing and submitting the required paperwork, including the application, by-laws from each chapter, and formal requests by individual chapters. In the meantime, three more chapters had joined GPA. By July of 1989, nine of the 12 GPA chapters had received federal tax-exempt status: 501(c)(3). This means that all donations to the chapters under the national umbrella are tax deductible for the individual contributor. Three of the chapters chose to file separately for tax exemption.

On October 18, 1987, in Abilene, Kansas, GPA had its first official national meeting. In preparation for the meeting, interim President John Furbush had submitted a list of issues to the member chapters. Four chapters sent representatives: Midwest, Northwest, Massachusetts and California. Most of the other chapters identified proxies. At the meeting, Northwest, Alabama, and Arizona were admitted as the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth chapters. Pat Lewallen's group (Kansas) was welcomed into GPA as a Midwest sub-chapter. Those assembled agreed not to use "INC" as part of the corporation name, formally adopted the by-laws, and endorsed "voting by mail".

Officers were elected: President, Joan Headland, CA Vice President, Gloria Sanders, Midwest Executive Secretary, Cynde Green, AZ Corresponding Secretary, Lori Graham, VA Treasurer, Mike Herrera, CA Resource Librarian, Joan Dillon, MA.

In the first year of existence, GPA grew from nine chapters to 12, from resident reps in 18 states to 27 states, from 42 placement reps to approximately 75. Its members wrote and instituted by-laws, incorporated, set up accounting procedures, acquired federal tax exempt status, developed a placement network across the United States, gained recognition on a national level, set goals for continued growth and development, and attained a professional business attitude.

GPA's growth has been dramatic. By 1995, over 300 placement representatives from 27 GPA chapters and 13 sub-chapters in 31 states and two Canadian provinces were at work. GPA placed about 100 dogs in 1987, its first year. In 1993, GPA assisted in the adoption of 3,188 greyhounds. In 2000, it helped adopt out 4,686.