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The Facts about GPA's Visit to Juarez
Photos from GPAs Trip to Juarez Racepark
Statement from NGA Statement from GPA
President, Rory Goree
NGA To Test
Juarez Animal Welfare Plan Facts about Juarez
trip
In response to the many emails I have received over
the past few weeks, I have learned that the writers of these emails are very
passionate about greyhounds. However, many of you have been (regretfully)
mislead regarding the topics you have contacted me about. There has been an
excessive amount of mis-communication of the facts regarding these issues.
On the August 5th broadcast of "Greyhounds Make Great Pets", I took the
opportunity to clearly present the facts regarding my recent visit to
Juarez, Mexico and the basic fundamentals of Greyhound Pets of America. For
those of you who missed (my statements on) "GMGP", you can listen to the
archived show via the following links:
www.voiceamerica.com
www.greyhoundpets.org/webradio.htm
I would hope you would take the opportunity to discover the facts before
casting doubts on an organization that is responsible for finding homes for
over 5,000 greyhounds each year.
Sincerely,
Rory S. Goree'
Photos from GPA's Trip to Juarez
Facts about Juarez trip
GREYHOUND PETS OF AMERICA
VISIT TO THE GREYHOUND RACE TRACK
AT JUAREZ MEXICO
The Facts
A great deal of misinformation has been circulated regarding a recent visit
to the track at Juarez, Mexico by individuals representing Greyhound Pets of
America. We thought it was important for people to have the facts.
Greyhounds have been racing at Juarez for more than a year and there is
nothing that GPA nor any other U.S. organization can do to change that fact.
As the largest greyhound adoption organization in the U.S., Greyhound Pets
of America felt it was important for it to play a leadership role to ensure
that greyhounds racing at Juarez were returned to the U.S. for placement as
pets when their racing careers at the track were over. Prior to the visit of
Greyhound Pets of America representatives, there was no plan or program to
ensure the welfare of greyhounds racing at Juarez nor was there an adoption
program.
Greyhound Racing at Juarez
o A new greyhound/horse track was built at Juarez within the last two
years.The track announced in 2004 that it would begin live racing. There
were no protests from greyhound advocacy groups.
o Greyhounds have been racing at the track in Juarez, Mexico for more than a
year.
o The track plans to run greyhound races three nights a week, Friday,
Saturday and Sunday.
o Approximately 300 to 400 greyhounds are required for that racing schedule.
Jurisdiction Over the Greyhounds Racing at Juarez
o The only people who can determine whether or not greyhounds race at Juarez
are the owners of the greyhounds
o There is no U.S. authority that can determine whether Juarez can offer
greyhound racing nor is there any U.S. authority that can stop greyhounds
from racing at the track.
o Greyhound Pets of America does not advocate greyhound racing nor does it
have the authority to determine whether or not greyhounds race at a track.
Greyhound Pets of America’s Visit to the Juarez Track
o Rory Goree, president of Greyhound Pets of America; Dr. Leah Cole, a
recognized greyhound veterinarian; and Patricia Roberts from the GPA chapter
in El Paso, Texas visited the Juarez track on July 16, 2005.
o The purpose of the visit was to determine whether the track would
cooperate in setting up a system to return greyhounds racing at Juarez to
the U.S. for adoption at the end of their racing careers.
Condition of the Track and Kennels
o On July 16, 2005, the kennels were clean, air conditioned and had crates
that meet U.S. standards.
Results of the Visit
o The owner of the track agreed to return greyhounds to the U.S. when they
have finished racing at Juarez.
o Each greyhound leaving the U.S. to race at Juarez will have its picture
taken, tattoo numbers recorded and each greyhound will be micro chipped.
This ensures that each greyhound can be tracked while it is in Juarez and
when it is returned to the U.S. This level of accountability is precedent
setting and could become a model for tracking all racing greyhounds in the
future.
o The GPA chapter in El Paso, Texas will monitor the greyhounds entering and
leaving Juarez and also will play a leadership role in coordinating the
placement of the greyhounds in homes as pets when they retire.
o Greyhound Pets of America’s 7x7 committee has changed its name to “No
Greyhound Left Behind.” Our goal is to do everything we can to ensure the
welfare of greyhounds and to find homes for them when their racing careers
are over, whether they are racing in the U.S. or in nearby Mexico |